Reviewed by Paul Davis

Each worshipful song here is elegantly and simply crafted with an acoustic, un-fussy, un-glamourised production. The unpretentious Virginian enterprise frames the tender lyrics that the duo sings in a strong but appropriate setting. Recently recorded, this is brimful of the quality-best of what I always believed gentle, bluegrass-flavoured, country-gospel music to be. The sweet, engaging vocal harmony of the talented duo is resplendent in traditional country style a la guitar, autoharp, bass and mandolin and such. It is great to hear Bill Clifton after so many years. His early Mercury and Starday concept albums of the '60s were the first introduction many in the UK had to bluegrass music in that generation. "River Of Memories" borrows heavily from the Blue Sky Boys and Chuck Wagon Gang of a generation before that. Not to be missed. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection! Bill and Jimmy have excelled themselves by providing very complimentary backdrops. The opener is the "Church In The Wildwood", a country standard and sets the tone for the 17 gems. Culturally, this has borrowed more from Ira Sankey that it has from Bill Monroe. I particularly enjoyed the well known but under-recorded "When I Get To The End Of The Way", "Home Of The Soul" and "Give Me The Roses While I Live".

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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