The Blue Ridge Partners with Al Elliott - Tribute To The Louvin Brothers

(Old Homestead OHS-90105) 1980

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Al Elliott's third LP with the Blue Ridge Partners was recorded at the Old Homestead studios in Brighton, Michigan and is (obviously) a heart felt tribute to the legendary brother harmony duo Ira & Charlie Louvin. The band also cut four other Louvin Brothers songs on their other albums, with Don't Laugh on Albert Elliott and the Blue Ridge Partners; The Angels Rejoiced Last Night on The Blue Ridge Partners (with Al Elliott); and God Bless Her Cause, She's My Mother & You Will Be Rewarded Over There on Church In The Mountains.

Instrumentally the LP's production and song arrangements have the same polished feel as their previous release. The core band also remains the same as on their previous Old Homestead LP, with the addition of Jim Bullock being on bass, and Jim Miller on fiddle. Vocally however, the Louvin's are a real tough act to follow and the Blue Ridge Partners don't quite have the same range or distinctive timbre. That's not to say that the vocals are bad or anything...

Twelve of the thirteen tracks are taken from the Louvin's repertoire, although Why Not Confess was popularised by Rose Maddox and the Maddox Brothers before The Louvin's cut the song; and I don't think they recorded Don't Say Goodbye If You Love Me. The Blue Sky Boys cut the song in 1941, as did Johnnie & Jack in 1953. It was also originally released in 1936 by Jimmie Davis, but that version is quite different, so I'd guess the Blue Sky Boys may have been the inspiration here.

The album is housed in a matt textured sleeve, with the front photo from the same session as used on the cover for How Would You Like Being Lonesome, and the rear cover photo from the same session used on The Blue Ridge Partners (with Al Elliott).

• Albert Elliott: mandolin, lead & tenor vocal
• Jim Bullock: bass
• J.R. Gibson: guitar, lead vocal
• Jerry Keys: banjo
• G.C. Matlock: lead guitar, baritone vocal
• Jim Miller: fiddle

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