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  • 5/9 - Ron Thomason (1944)
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  • 6/9 - Buzz Busby (1933)
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  • 9/9 - Bill Monroe (died this day in 1996) - Born 13th September, 1911

  • 9/9 - James King (1958)
  • 9/9 - Otis Redding (1941)
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Reviews

What others think of the bluegrass around - CDs, shows, concerts, DVDs. 

Dry Branch Fire Squad - Live At The Newburyport Firehouse

Rounder - 11661-0527-2

Dry Branch Fire Squad - Live At The Newburyport Firehouse

Way back in the ol' days (1971 to be exact), mandolinist Ron Thomason played with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys (Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley were also bandmates at that time). The Dry Branch Fire Squad, from Springfield, Ohio, was formed in 1976 by Thomason, and the band's longevity and success have been attributed to their raw, mountain-style vocals and Thomason's dry humor as an emcee. For 30 years (until his retirement in 1999), Thomason also taught English, math and was a junior high assistant principal. The Dry Branch Fire Squad now celebrates their eighth album on the Rounder Records label. Like their best-selling fourth release ("Live at Last"), their eighth is also a live project, this one with 2 discs and 87 minutes of music, stories, and anecdotes.

Their "Live at the Newburyport Firehouse" has about an equal number of songs and stories. There are many of the band's favorites such as "The Orphan Train," "Coming to Us Dead," "Shine, Hallelujah, Shine," and "Hot Corn, Cold Corn." We can tell that the crowd is held in rapt attention, and they also laugh and applaud for the tales told by wry-witted Thomason like "Mel Bay" and six-minute "Hippies, Beatniks and Power Easements" which is the prelude to an up-tempo "Jesus on the Mainline."

In this live show recorded in November, 2002, one thing becomes very apparent. This band focuses on entertainment, puts their audience first, and their show is presented much like an old-time radio show. Their boundless energy is well-balanced so the sets flow well with appropriate peaks and valleys, always alternating songs with stories. While audience applause can be slightly annoying in a live recording, that is a tradeoff we must accept in return for the spirit and enthusiasm of a live show. There is actually more dialogue on these discs than there is music, and that might discourage some from multiple listens. Rounder Records might want to consider a future project from Ron Thomason that is solely a disc of storytelling.

Besides Thomason, the lineup for this 2002 DBFS show features Charles Leet (bass), Mary Jo Leet (guitar), Adam McIntosh (guitar, mandolin), and Dan Russell (banjo, mandolin, bass). All sing in the band. I was particularly impressed with McIntosh's guitar work and Russell's banjo picking. Adam McIntosh sings the lead vocals only on a cover of Merle Haggard's "Lonesome Fugitive," and his lead vocal quality is a strength that the band should further capitalize on in the future. Dan Russell really tears up bluegrass instrumentals like "Roanoke" and "Shenandoah Breakdown." Also adept at country music, Russell has professional experience with the likes of John Anderson.

In sum, this splendid 2-CD album highlights a band with amazing staying power and entertainment quotient. It seems that they now enjoy music-making, storytelling and entertaining more than ever.

Rounder Records
One Camp Street, Cambridge, MA 02140
www.rounder.com
EMAIL info [at] rounder.com
Playing Time  43:17 (disc 1), 43:59 (disc 2)

Songs & Stories  DISC 1

  1. Rollin' on Rubber Wheels
  2. Cas Wallin
  3. Orphan Child
  4. Banjo Picking
  5. Roanoke
  6. Coming to Us
  7. Coming to Us Dead
  8. Metaphor
  9. Miner
  10. Carter Family
  11. Fifty Miles of Elbow Room
  12. The Politics of Folk Music
  13. The Orphan Train
  14. Grandma's Stove
  15. Standing by the River

DISC 2

  1. Hot Corn, Cold Corn
  2. The Baptism of Little Roy
  3. By the Mark
  4. Bill Monroe Through the Crack in the Curtains
  5. Shine, Hallelujah, Shine
  6. Mel Bay
  7. Lonesome Fugitive
  8. Hippies, Beatniks and Power
  9. Jesus on the Mainline
  10. Green Pastures and Equine Dignity
  11. Going Up Home to Line in Green Pastures
  12. Guaranteed Forever
  13. Shenandoah Breakdown

(Joe Ross)

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