(17-track compilation album/ THE SON RHEA FOUNDATION)
Now here's the type of compilation album you don't hear everyday�
This brilliant 17-track long-player ha s in fact been recorded and released in the hope of generating money for and promoting the cause of providing children with the opportunities to participate in music-making and to help 'the arts' in general flourish to their full glorious potential in the Bowling Green area of South Kentucky in the USA. Which is a motive that has to be applauded valiantly in itself.
Over the 63 minutes running time we have Kent Thunder opening proceedings with a Gospel-fringed acappella track, 'Old Kentucky Home,' and one of the greatest pros of this album is the fact that there are turns from bands, solo artists and special super-groups, all pulling together for one hell of a fantastic cause.
Bill Lloyd presents one of the album highlights with his Tom Petty flavoured rock 'n' roll, the sublime exuberance of his 'Beech Bend Road' driving toward the subtle acoustics and enchanting soul-flavoured 'Kentucky Take Me Home' by Jonnell Mosser.
Ty Barc has two of his funky rock 'n' roll numbers included ('Someday' and 'Too Sophisticated'), Sheila Lawrence's rocky 'Run' might remind of Cher, while Tommy Womack quirkily delivers one of the coolest tunes, the acoustic 'I Miss Reagan' with the line 'Now my hair line's going and the World Trade Center's gone.' Meanwhile, David Surface goes 'Running In The Dark' and rocks in a similarly catchy style to Bill Lloyd.
All musicians involved are very well-known in that they're been heavily involved in and around Bowling Green making original music of their own from the 70's onwards, and a number of Grammy Award Winners including Sam Bush and Curtis Burch also feature.
The majority of the tracks were recorded in Nashville and produced by Richard Adler, and there are enough musical styles (ranging from the inevitable Country and Bluegrass genres to the afore-championed stabs of rock 'n' roll) to keep most everyone happy.
If only there were more well meaning compilation albums with such well defined talent proudly on show as this one�
(Steve Rudd)
www.sonrhea.org
www.jambodians.com