Reviewed by Dave Brassington

This wonderful CD gives us all the 20 tracks that Jim & Jesse recorded for Capitol between 1952 and 1955 (in the early 70s they would return for a couple of years doing more modern country music). These were not the first recordings Jim & Jesse McReynolds had put out. Some gospel tracks were sold primarily by mail order out of Lexington, Kentucky and, surprisingly, these tracks have been available on various re-issue LPs for many years now. However, not all of these magnificent recordings were released at the time of recording. These were the days of singles only and unfortunately Jim & Jesse's careers were to be seriously hampered by army service. Ironically, having released a brilliant version of The Louvin Brother's "Are You Missing Me", Jesse found himself doing army service in the Korean War with Charlie Louvin! Nowadays Jim & Jesse are primarily thought of as a bluegrass act, but the fact is that when all these recordings were made they were regarded as mainline country music. Jesse McReynolds is one of the best ever' mandolin players and, with Jim on guitar, they are also two of the most natural harmony singers augmented by banjo and fiddle accompaniment. On the 1952 recordings the fiddler is a very young Sonny James who went on to be a big star on Capitol Records. There is not a duff track anywhere here. Top quality songs, singing and backing. Even if bluegrass is not your usual taste in country, I would urge you to give this CD a listen as it's not the high lonesome sound reminiscent of Bill Monroe or The Stanley Brothers. The two gospel tracks, "Are You Lost In Sin" and "I'll Wear The Banner" (which they subsequently re-recorded for Epic) are quite outstanding.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.