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Pete Goble - When I'm Knee Deep in Bluegrass
Fireheart Records - FHP7349
Born in Prestonsburg, Kentucky in 1932, Pete Goble left there at age sixteen for work in a Michigan steel mill. A natural songwriting talent, Pete has penned splendid songs for The Osborne Brothers, Country Gentlemen, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, McPeak Brothers, Shenandoah Cut-Ups, Bluegrass Cardinals, Bill Harrell, Lost and Found, IIIrd Tyme Out, Mountain Heart and many others. Goble's imagination and keen observation of people help him express feelings so precisely and clearly that we are touched and uplifted by his messages. The songs on this album are straightforward, easily understood, and simply make you feel good after hearing them. Goble once told me, "I just sing them straight. I try to tell a good story. I want to make it like you've just read a book."
Pete Goble was first hooked on bluegrass when he heard Flatt and Scruggs' "Down The Road." He started writing songs in 1957 with his first few being "You'll Be a Lost Ball," "I'll Drink No More Wine," and "I'll Never Take No for an Answer." An early songwriting partnership with Bobby Osborne led to such hits as "Big Spike Hammer" and "Son of a Sawmill Man." In 1961, Pete met longtime friend and collaborator Leroy Drumm. Writing together since 1971, the team has penned such bluegrass favorites as "Georgia Girl," "Julie Ann," "I Won't Need Your Nine Pound Hammer," and "Blue Virginia Blues."
In late 1986, Pete Goble and Bill Emerson released a highly-acclaimed album entitled "Tennessee 1949" (Webco WLPS-O123). They followed that with "Dixie In My Eye" (Webco WLPS-0128) in 1989. Now retired and with the four children out on their own, there's more time for songwriting, performing, and just "living on the farm." While loving Michigan, Pete's memories of Kentucky show up in his songs. As the album's title cut (inspired by Bill Monroe's 1958 Decca LP) exclaims, "Any part of ol' Kentucky is home sweet home to me. Knee deep in bluegrass is where I'm gonna be." Even Pete's publishing company, Brandykeg, is named after his "little place in Kentucky...just a mailing address, you might say."
Pete Goble's songs are sincere, honest and unpretentious. Goble believes that we have to be dreamers to some extent, but he's also lived some of the songs he writes. According to Goble, "A successful songwriter can recognize another's hurt and write about it. You can take a common subject, love for example, and write about it a little differently than anyone else. There are many ways to explain love but no sure way."
Songsmith Goble describes the pain, misery and hurt of lost love in "The Whole World Must be Knowin'," but he also gives us plenty of advice and words of wisdom in other songs. The opening track takes a leisurely approach to presenting a warm, fulfilling tale of how to beat a broken heart. Facing the realities of lost love and getting over heartache are central to "Janie's Really Gone," "Lesson in Love," "Roses Remind Me of You" and "What About Tomorrow."
"Highlander's Farewell," "Call of the Whippoorwill," and "Too Close to the Flame" provide us with some insights about love whether they be a soldier's parting words, a forlorn ballad of scandal and murder, or a new lesson learned. For a funny take on that familiar subject, listen to "Lovin' Ain't Been Easy on my Mind."
Over the years, Goble has shown an affinity for songs about hobos and rambling, and "Born to be a Drifter" is a wistful variation on the theme. "It's Too Late Now" is a nostalgic treatise about mistakes made in life. Even though a musician has to pay his dues on the road, Pete says "Thank God for the Highways" that lead back home.
Emphasizing true feeling and emotion, the songs on this album present concepts and themes that people can relate to. In addition to his masterful songwriting, Pete Goble is a solid bluegrass guitarist and singer. A truly touching experience, his music conveys warmth, encouragement and optimism. His songs are subtle yet respectful. They offer a little something for everyone. Pete Goble has some ambitious future plans that call for recording additional albums and touring with his band, Jubilee Road.
PETE GOBLE
When I'm Knee Deep in Bluegrass
Fireheart Records FHP7349
PO Box 1482,
Goleta, CA. 93116
TEL. (805)687-7949
EMAIL chris [at] fireheartpro.com OR pgoble4 [at] comcast.net
www.fireheartpro.com
Playing Time – 44:50
Songs
- It's Amazing What Sunshine Can Do
- Born To Be A Drifter
- Call Of The Whippoorwill
- Highlander's Farewell
- It's Too Late Now
- Janie's Really Gone
- When I'm Knee Deep In Bluegrass
- Lesson In Love
- Lovin' Ain't Been Easy On My Mind
- Roses Remind Me Of You
- Thank God For The Highways
- Too Close To The Flame
- What About Tomorrow
- The Whole World Must Be Knowin'
(Review by Joe Ross)
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