Doug Bartlett - Mama, Will You Call My Daddy (CD)

A very strong solo debut album for Doug Bartlett

By Joe  Dec 4, 2005

Pros: His singing and playing are first rate

Cons: Liner notes don’t allow one to see which songs he’s playing banjo on

Journeyman musician Doug Bartlett is no stranger to bluegrass music, having worked with The Lonesome River Band, James King, Paul Atkins, and Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Bartlett currently plays guitar, sing harmony and tours with the Tina Adair Band. In 2001, he signed with the MasterShield label and has completed his first project entitled “Mama, Will You Call My Daddy?”

The album begins with a hard-driving instrumental, Greenway Creek. While Bartlett is a very accomplished instrumentalist, the liner notes don’t allow one to see which songs he’s playing banjo on, rather than guest banjo-players Ron Rigsby and Carson Cooper. The title cut, written by Verna Rodes, is a tribute to the brave persons that were caught up in the September 11 terrorist attack. Bartlett’s original, “Lonely Cold December” features some beautiful harmony vocals by Tina Adair. Perhaps best known for his fiddling, Bartlett demonstrates some of his expert technique and tone on the well-known waltz, “Somewhere My Love.” Another self-penned piece, “If You Don’t Believe In Love,” is a contemporary song with some real hit possibilities, thanks to strong lyrics, melody and arranging. Josh Matheny guests on dobro. Another Bartlett original, “Freed From Death,” shows that he can also write strong gospel numbers.

This project includes a number of other instrumentals such as Snowflake Reel, Washington County Breakdown, Red Apple Rag, and Orange Blossom Special which allow the versatile Bartlett to demonstrate his hot licks.

“Mama, Will You Call My Daddy?” is a very strong solo debut album for Doug Bartlett. His singing and playing are first rate. This album offers a nice mix of originals, covers and instrumentals that demonstrate Bartlett’s proficiency with traditional, contemporary and gospel bluegrass music. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)