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Charlie Sizemore - Back Home

(Rebel REB-CD-1705) 25 Aug 1994

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Charlie's debut CD for Rebel was probably recorded in late 1992^[1] and is very much a 'studio' affair with guest artists like Alison Krauss, Don Rigsby, Tim O'Brien; session musicians and a mix of both country and bluegrass styles.

Lyrically the majority of the songs are exceptionally well crafted, with intelligent lyrics well suited to Charlie Sizemore's dry wit. Six of them are either written or co-written by Charlie, with I'm Really Gone and You'll Never Know Until You Cry having previously been recorded for his I've Got A Good Memory album.

Paul Craft, a former banjo player for Jimmy Martin and noted bluegrass/country songwriter^[2] is involved heavily on this release, which he co-produced and has song-writing credits on two of the songs (Walking Home In The Rain and Nothing Happening Every Minute).

I have to admit I'm not a big fan of country music, so drums and steel guitars usually put me off... but this album sounds great and it's one I'll happily listen to repeatedly. It seems to have gone down well with music critics too, if the quotes from a 'Bluegrass Unlimited' ad from Nov. 1983 are anything to go by. 'BU' however was rather less favourable, with their reviewer surprisingly concluding that the rendition of Thy Burdens Are Greater Than Mine was the album's best cut.

I'm not too sure who was in Charlie's regular band at the time the album was recorded, but from a promo picture from around the time it looks like Heath Van Winkle was still present and Larry Beasley was on banjo. Not sure who the guy is with the glasses though? Bobby Clark? Shayne Bartley?

Rebel records promoted/launched the album with a gig and CD listening session at the Station Inn in Nashville.

This is one definitely worth picking up!

^{[1] 'Bluegrass Unlimited' mentioned Charlie was in the recording studio recording a new album for Rebel in the 'General Store' section of their Jan. 1993 edition. (p. 17)
[2] https://bluegrasstoday.com/paul-craft-passes/}