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Grandma's
Songs is one of those CD's that you don't lose or place on a shelf and
forget about - you wear it out.
The Boohers were
invited into Tom T. and Dixie Hall's Franklin, TN recording studio, and the
result is a veritable musical masterpiece that's destined to become a classic of
the Bluegrass genre.
When you pop Grandma's Songs into your CD player, the title track
immediately gives you a preview of what's to come: air-tight instrumentals and
amazing family harmonies. Written by none other than Dixie and Tom T.
themselves, Grandma's Songs simply cannot be listened to without tapping
your foot and singing along.
Singing lead, Lora Booher has a beautiful voice that's clear and strong with
just enough of that wonderful east Tennessee accent that you know you're
listening to the real thing, not some watered down, studio-enhanced saccharin
vocals, and it really comes through on every song she sings. Grandma's Songs
gets the CD off to a rousing start, lifting your spirits and setting the tone
for the rest of the CD.
Lora also sings lead on In The Shadow Of Your Wings, a beautiful gospel
tune written by the ultra-talented Ron Block (of Alison Krauss & Union
Station fame). No one does Bluegrass gospel better than The Boohers, and In
The Shadow Of Your Wings is one of the prettiest gospel songs I've ever
heard.
A personal observation: When The Boohers sing a gospel tune, they do it
believing what they're singing. They share a strong love and appreciation for
God and it shows in everything they do, including this wonderful song.
If you're a fan of the original Carter
Family, you're going to love The Boohers' rendition of Bury Me Beneath
The Willow, a bona fide A.P. Carter classic. Joseph Booher's crystal clear
lead vocals are in perfect harmony with the rest of the family as they sing
backup with just enough volume to let you know they're there. A.P. would be very
pleased...
Grandma's Songs is one of those recordings that is chock full of great
tracks - there isn't a song on the entire CD that you're likely to skip past.
But one song does stand out...
A Beautiful Home is a song that is guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes
if you have fond memories of your childhood and your parents and grandparents.
In fact, this song inspired me to take a trip back to my maternal grandmother's
old homeplace.
Joseph Booher's performance of this song alone makes the CD worth 10 times its
cost. Every time I hear him sing and play his mandolin, I can't help but wonder
how in the world one young man ended up with so much talent. And of course it
surely helps to have great material to work with - A Beautiful Home is
the type of song that only comes around once in a blue moon.
A Beautiful Home was written by Dixie Hall, Tom T. Hall and Billy Smith.
The legendary Tom T. has always been known as "The Storyteller", and
this song sure does tell a story - a story of life, love and memories of a
wonderful childhood. It reminds us that a home isn't really a house or a parcel
of land...a home is where loving parents raise their children and build a legacy
of love and responsibility that lives on long after they're gone.
A Beautiful Home warms the heart and brings back those wonderful memories
of years past, and no one could sing it better than Joseph Booher.
Grandma's Songs is a must-have for anyone who truly enjoys great Bluegrass
music. There are no "filler" tracks on this CD - each and every song
is worthy of a prime spot on a radio station's playlist - and this disc belongs
in your CD player.
CD Title: Grandma's Songs Artist:
The Boohers
?2005 Lonesome Day Records
Tracks:
- Grandma's Songs
- Moon On The River
- Bluer Than Blue
- Sometimes The Good News Is Bad
- So It Goes
- In The Shadow of Your Wings
- Bury Me Beneath The Willow
- Joe
- A Beautiful Home
- Linville Train
- Hobo's Lament
- Home With The One I Love
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