Albert E. Brumley - I'll Fly Away
Product Information
Track List: I'll Fly Away
- I Know My Lord's Gonna Lead Me Out
- Rank Strangers
- Sweetest Song I Know
- Jacob, Daniel and Elijah
- My Closest Kin
- When They Sing in the Garden for Me
- I'll Fly Away
- Jesus of Nazareth
- Banjo Boy
- Green Valley Farms
- I'd Rather Live by the Side of the Road
- How I'd Like to Be
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Album Details: I'll Fly Away
- Release Date:
- 10/28/2003
- Label:
- Copper Creek
- UPC:
- 722321022027
User Reviews: I'll Fly Away
-
well-played old and new songs
, December 30, 2003Reviewer:
Joe Ross - See all Joe Ross's reviews
read all (1) user reviews for I'll Fly Away
Pro Reviews: I'll Fly Away
| EXPERT RATING: From AMG Reviews Although Albert Brumley Jr. had been playing country music since the 1940s, he found a higher profile in 2001 when he recorded Two Old Friends with Merle Haggard. As with that project, I'll Fly Away returns to the songs of Brumley's famous father, Albert Brumley Sr., who wrote during the golden age of gospel, and augments the collection with several of his own compositions. It's hard to miss with a set list that includes "Rank Strangers" and the title cut, and Brumley delivers the goods with honest emotions that are supported by a fine backup band. He's joined by fiddlermandolinist Tim Crouch, bassist Boone Carlon, banjoist Steve Bush, dobroist Dean Holman, and vocalists Bruce Haynes and Jimmy Ponder. Brumley brings his warm vocal style to bear on catchy songs like "Banjo Boy" and "Green Valley Farms," inserting a strong nostalgic mood into the material. The album ends on a happy note with the upbeat, swinging "How I'd Like to Be," bringing I'll Fly Away to a pleasing close. Whether one enjoys good gospelcountry music, or is looking for an historical overview of some of the genre's best songs, I'll Fly Away will fit either bill. Brumley remains a winning performer, and fans will also find it refreshing to see the singer beginning yet another stage of his long career. - Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide |
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-- ©2008 All Media Guide, LLC
Pros: Great accompaniment, pleasant singing
Cons: Some might find the old traditional song themes a bit trite
People associate the name, Albert E. Brumley, with some of the greatest Gospel songs ever written. His 800 songs earned Albert E. Brumley Sr. a reputation as “the greatest white gospel songwriter before WWII.” One of his 6 kids, Albert E. Brumley, Jr. has carried on the family’s musical tradition with a goal to preserve the legacy of his father’s songs with their earthy country sentiments and encouraging Gospel messages.
Albert Jr. calls his new album “I’ll Fly Away,” in thoughtful tribute to his father’s most famous song which was written in 1929 and recognized about fifty years later as the most recorded Gospel song in history. He’s even written a biography about his dad, appropriately called “I’ll Fly Away.” Six other songs from the elder songwriter are also included, with “Rank Strangers,” “The Sweetest Song I Know,” and “I’d Rather Live by the Side of the Road” being most familiar to us. But, equally rousing and heartening are three other memorable tunes. “I Know My Lord’s Gonna Lead Me Out” opens the album with some nice contagious energy. Midway in the set, “My Closest Kin,” was written in 1960 and previously recorded by The Lewis Family. Closing the project on a nostalgic and sentimental note is “How I’d Like to be (a Child on Mother’s Knee).”
Intermixed with these songs are five penned by the famous songwriter’s son who also demonstrates a good aptitude for turning a phrase and finding catchy melodies. He writes about the same subjects as his father did, and the messages inspire us in much the same way. They convey traditional spirit, and “Jesus of Nazareth” or “When They Sing in the Garden for Me” could very well have been composed sixty years prior. It can be challenging to write new songs, in a traditional style, that don’t sound sappy, dated, or trite with messages we’ve heard many times before. “Green Valley Farms” is a favorite with its nostalgic autobiographical message that transports one back to the happy days of yesteryear in the Ozark hills.
Produced by Rodney Dillard, “I’ll Fly Away” features some veteran musicians from the Branson area. National fiddle champ Tim Crouch’s experience includes five years with the Grand Ole Opry and performances with top names in country and bluegrass music. Steve Bush is an excellent, tasteful banjo player, who took second place in the national banjo championship in Winfield, Ks. in 1991 (Tony Furtado won that year.) He’s recorded with Rodney Dillard in the past, as have Bruce Haynes and Jimmy Ponder who provide the harmony vocals on this CD. Filling out the cast are Dean Holman (dobro), Randall George (rhythm) and Boone Carlon (bass).
It’s a treat to hear Brumley sing some of his father’s songs, as well as a few of his own. Simplicity and naturalness have always been Brumley family goals for their music. To that end, this project meets the objective of giving us a set of well-played old and new songs that hold true to staunch traditional and familial roots. This album, however, only gives us a minute taste of what one might experience live at the Albert E. Brumley Memorial Gospel Sing, held each summer in Fayetteville, Ark. (Joe Ross, Bluegrass Now) ...