A Tribute to Jimmy Martin: The King of Bluegrass, Vol. 1

Product Description:
Since the 1950’s the music of Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys has entertained, educated, and inspired several generations. Blessed with a great tenor voice, traditional Bluegrass singer and guitarist, Jimmy Martin, mastered his craft as the lead vocalist for Bill Monroe and His bluegrass Boys. In 1951, between stints with Monroe’s band, Martin joined with the Osborne Brothers, forming the Sunny Mountain Boys where he quickly moved into the spotlight and earned the title of "The King of Bluegrass." He also hired some of the finest musicians in the genre to perform in his band, many of whom went on make it big in Bluegrass themselves. Now some of those same musicians have joined with others to record this remarkable tribute to one of the true greats of Bluegrass music. It’s destined to become a favorite of Bluegrass fans everywhere.

Tracks:

Sonny Osborne Introduction
Sophronie
You Don't Know My Mind
Losing You
There Ain't Nobody Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone
She's Left Me Again
Doin' My Time
I Cried Again
Home Run Man
Ocean Of Diamonds
God Guide Our Leader's Hand
What You Give In Exchange
I Like To Hear 'Em Preach
Hold Whatcha Got
My Walkin' Shoes
Steppin' Stones
I'm Thinking Tonight Of My Blue Eyes
Tennessee

Album Description

Since the 1950's the music of Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys has entertained, educated, and inspired several generations. Blessed with a great tenor voice, traditional Bluegrass singer and guitarist, Jimmy Martin, mastered his craft as the lead vocalist for Bill Monroe and His bluegrass Boys. In 1951, between stints with Monroe's band, Martin joined with the Osborne Brothers, forming the Sunny Mountain Boys where he quickly moved into the spotlight and earned the title of "The King of Bluegrass." He also hired some of the finest musicians in the genre to perform in his band, many of whom went on make it big in Bluegrass themselves. Now some of those same musicians have joined with others to record this remarkable tribute to one of the true greats of Bluegrass music. It's destined to become a favorite of Bluegrass fans everywhere.

Customer Reviews:

Its been too long.......2006-02-13

Ive searched and searched, and now Ive found it. This cd is now my favorite cd. Its got it all. Crowes display of taste couldnt get any better. Its perfect. The songs picked. Thank God for the late Jimmy Martin.

Musicians who know how to lay Jimmy's music down right.......2004-08-23

Playing Time - 48:19 -- This album opens with Sonny Osborne proclaiming, "Jimmy Martin is one of the best bluegrass pickers in this country today." So what better way to produce a tribute album to The King of Bluegrass than to assemble four alumni of the Jimmy's Sunny Mountain Boys -- Audie Blaylock, Kenny Ingram, J.D. Crowe, and Paul Williams. Blaylock spent the longest time with Jimmy -- from 1982-1991. Other artists called upon to assist include Jason Moore, Mike Cleveland, Harry Stinson, Ben Isaacs and Sonya Isaacs.

Jimmy Martin's music was a seminal influence that greatly contributed to the growth, development and popularity of bluegrass music. Jimmy also had a unique talent for finding some of the best musicians to produce his trademark "good `n country" sound. On this project, Audie Blaylock does a commendable job recreating the solid guitar work and inspired lead singing that Jimmy offered. A special treat are to hear the tenor and baritone vocals, along with respective mandolin and banjo, of Sunny Mountain Boys Williams and Crowe. Paul Williams even sings the lead on "I'm Thinking Tonight of my Blue Eyes."

The song arrangements (and even many instrumental kickoffs, fills and breaks) that Blaylock and crew use stay remarkably close to the classic arrangements on numbers like "Home Run Man," "Hold Whatcha Got" and others. This tribute album, however, provides a little boost in tempo to "Hold Whatcha Got." Just as with an earlier rendition, Paul Williams sings lead vocals on the verses, and tenor on the choruses, for cuts like "There Ain't Nobody Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone." Another example, "Losing You," has Sonya Isaacs' high baritone in place of the original Vernon Derrick's. And she also adds a true-to-form high baritone on "Steppin' Stones" (as Lois Johnson once did with Martin back in 1961). In at least one case, the vocal arrangement is embellished from a traditional version. A trio for "I Cried Again" is a case in point whereas I believe that Jimmy Martin originally just recorded this number as a duet.

In recent times, Jimmy Martin has been fighting cancer, and we all wish him the best. An album tribute to this great musician from Sneedville, Tn. is certainly a fitting way to honor the 1995 IBMA Hall of Honor inductee. This group of friends and musicians also know how to lay Jimmy's music down right. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

Music Album:

Music Album