The Bluegrass Travelers - Raisin' Cane

(Mag RSR-447) 1976

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This is I think, the first recording to feature James Alan Shelton. The LPs liner notes give some info:
"James Alan Shelton is the banjo player for the group. He is a very talented person. In addition to playing the banjo, he is a very fine lead guitar picker. He has been playing the banjo for two and a half years and the guitar for four years. James is a native of Scott county, Virginia and makes his home in the Cowans Branch Community. He is only sixteen years old. He has developed his style of 'three finger' banjo playing and he also does a fine job playing the 'clawhammer' style of banjo.".

James playing is quite accomplished & he's featured quite heavily on the album, with his own instrumental Clinch Mountain Breakdown, his arrangements of Battle Hymn Of The Republic & Whoa Mule, plus versions of Shout Little Luly, Little Maggie and Salt Creek. James also cut the latter on his 2007 CD Walking Down The Line.

When the album was reviewed by Frank J. Godbey in 'Bluegrass Unlimited', James' contribution was highlighted: "If James Alan Shelton lives up to the promise of the last two-thirds of his name then he can't lose as a banjo picker. And if truth be known, after only two and a half years on the instrument he already shows considerable promise. He has good timing and is giving good attention to the basics right now. We should hear fine things from him in the future."

The other instrumentation is not quite as good, but the album is still quite a pleasant affair, with most vocal work by Wanda Butte. She still appears to be active on the local bluegrass scene, alongside Ernie Butte in Lonesome Echo.

It's also work mentioning that Hubert Powers, who played with Junior Bankenship on the Rocky Mountain Boys' albums, is featured as a guest on this album. The LP was also recorded at Maggard Sound Studios in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, where Ralph also recorded many albums...

• Ernest Butte: lead guitar, bass vocals
• Wanda Butte: mandolin, lead vocals
• David Larkin: guitar, mandolin, tenor vocal
• Lowell Larkin: bass
• James Alan Shelton: banjo

Other artwork / related images: