Charlie Cline - Return Of A Legend

(Hay Holler HHH-CD-901) 1995

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Recorded at Baker Sound Studio, Cullman, Alabama between Jan-Apr 1995, this was (I think) Charlie Cline's last album, although he was still performing until at least 1999.

A solid slab of trad-bluegrass, Charlie's multi-instrumental prowess is on display on the CD's 14 tracks, 13 of which he either wrote or co-wrote.

The album features Charlie on multi-tracked fiddles, mandolin and lead guitar and there's echoes of some of his classic work for Bill Monroe in the '50s. Some of the lead vocals are slightly below par, but there's still a lot to enjoy here, particularly with the high proportion of original songs. The degree of originality varies however - Johnnycake for example is cut from the same cloth as Bill Monroe's Wheel Hoss & Jerusalem Ridge.

In terms of the "Legend" reference in the album title, it's worth remembering that Charlie spent about 5 years working for Bill Monroe (of and on) in the 1950s, playing on ten or so of Bill's Decca sessions on fiddle or lead guitar. He even played mandolin on some shows when Bill had broken his collar bone.^[1]

When Monroe persuaded The Stanley Brothers to record Blue Moon Of Kentucky, Charlie also provided the lead guitar (The Stanley's first session to do so). In addition Charlie played on several of The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers 1950s classics, as well as playing on the 1951 King session by Jimmy Martin along with Bobby Osborne and Curly Ray Cline.

With that kind of legacy, it's no surprise then that the album is straight-ahead traditional bluegrass, nor that it is reminicent of 50s-era Bill Monroe. For instance Come Back Home features some fine Monroe styled mandolin; and the mournful waltz I Can't Get Over You reminds me of Bill Monroe's You'll Find Her Name Written There.

The only instrumental is the Sugar Creek, another Monroe-inspired piece with multi-tracked fiddles to the fore.

Of the other tracks: If I Had Only Listened To My Daddy about a prisoner regretting not having listed to the words of wisdom, and reflecting on the life that he might had otherwise have led. Charlie's vocal is a a little stretched on this one; I'm So Glad I Shared With Her My Name seems to have been inspired by Charlie's long standing wife Lee Cline; and I Don't Want To Live Without You tells a tale about losing a partner as "Someone stole my honey with his sweet talk and his money".

Charlie's religious calling is reflected in I'm Going Home To Gloryland, Back To West Virginia, Step By Step, I Want That Kind Of Blessing and My Memory Won't Let Me Forget You.

The final track Men Are So Busy co-written by Kennth Jones, is a Gospel waltz which bemoans man's pre-occupation with worldly achievements and lack of attention to 'God'.

Overall, as with most Hay Holler CD's this one is worth picking up and copies are usually fairly cheap.

• Charlie Cline: fiddle, mandolin, lead guitar, lead vocals
• Chuck Carpenter: banjo, tenor vocals
• Bill Sandlin: guitar, baritone vocals
• Willie Grimes: bass

Other artwork / related images:

[1] Neil V. Rosenberg & Charles K. Wolfe - "The Music of Bill Monroe" p.91.