Larry Sparks - New Highway

(Mountain Home MH-06562) 1997.

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Musically this is quite a pleasant enough album, but for me a few of the evangelical lyrics stretch credulity beyond breaking point... Specifically the title cut, New Highway treads a thin line when it says of Jesus:

"He didn't study to be a scientist
Or have a Doctor's degree
He knew more than any surgeon
Of this world could ever teach..."

Anything which knocks the value of education, whether studying to be a carpenter or anything else, is a bad move...

That said, Kirk Brandernberger's liner notes to the album say that the label provided the material for the album. Incidentally, Kirk played fiddle on the John Deere Tractor LP.

Two of the tracks were written by David Marshall, with Homer Jackson & Bruce Jackson also providing two songs a piece.

Musicians on the album consist of Larry's band at the time augmented by Tim Surrett, David Johnson, John R. Bowman and Tricis Robertson.

Larry later re-recorded New Highway on his 2019 New Moon Over My Shoulder CD.

Larry also performed Jesus Walks Ahead Of Me on the Country Bluegrass Homecoming Vol. 2 CD/DVD.

• Larry Sparks: guitar, vocals
• John R. Bowman: guitar
• Jim Britton: banjo
• David Johnson: fiddle, dobro, mandolin
• Tim Surrett: bass
• Scott Napier: mandolin
• Tricia Robertson: tenor vocal

Other artwork / related images: