Larry Sparks - Special Delivery

(Rebel REB-CD-1756) 2000.

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This is a solid album recorded with Larry's core 4-piece line-up at the time with Scott Napier (mandolin), Josh McMurray (banjo) and bass mainly provided by Virgil Bowlin.

Song selection is again a mix of choice new songs with deft lyrics and older material. Highlights include: Colleen Malone which tells the tale of a sailor who returns after 13 years at sea to find that his one true love has died; Timberline another reflective piece with a catchy chorus line; Ghost Stories which ponders over the lives of the former occupants of abandoned rural homesteads seen from the highway; Richmond County - a version of The Spinney Brothers song from their 1998 'The Old Fundy Shore'; and The Undelivered Message, a sentimental US civil war piece.

The older material includes decent versions of Jimmie Davis' Be Nobody's Darling But Mine and Hank Williams' California Zephyr; plus an instrumental version of Bob Wills' San Antonio Rose. There's also a version of Snow Covered Mound which Larry recorded with Ralph in 1968 on Over The Sunset Hill.

Around The Carousel is an instrumental by Scott Napier with Josh McMurry and Larry both taking breaks.

The CD includes an eight-page booklet with liner notes by Penny Parsons.

• Larry Sparks: guitar, lead vocals
• Virgil Bowlin: bass, harmony vocal
• Joe Clark: bass (a)
• Josh McMurray: banjo
• Scott Napier: mandolin, harmony vocal

NB: (a) bass on A2, A3 & A12

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