Vertie's Dream

Dave Higgs - WPLN Radio / Nashville, TN
Besides being two of my favorite people in the business, Carol Elizabeth & James play some of the purist, most real, straight from the heart, emotive music I've ever heard.

Product Description:
“Vertie’s Dream“ is the latest offering by Jones and Leva, the Virginia-based duo known for their spine-tingling duets and classic original songs. This, their third nationally-distributed release, adds significantly to their reputation as being at the forefront of today’s singer-songwriter movement. In contrast to earlier recordings, this CD incorporates several choice traditional tracks with their own original material to arrive at a work that mirrors their engaging stage performances.

In her notes to the recording, Suzanne Thomas succinctly describes the success of “Vertie’s Dream” by stating: “First, there is the carefully chosen and beautifully crafted material, a mix of old and new, providing a link between their songwriting and their traditional backgrounds… Then there is the instrumental work, that sense of timeless timing — groove, if you will — that is uniquely theirs. But most of all, there is the singing. The singing is extraordinary. To my ears, Jones and Leva are the very best vocal duet on the scene today.” The recording is further bolstered by the appearance of mandolin virtuoso John Reischman, banjoists Mike Seeger and Dave Winston, and bass player Dave Grant.

Despite their relative youth, Jones and Leva have a combined total of 50 years of immersion in traditional Appalachian music. Their dedication to their craft is acknowledged in a string of quotes from notable high-profile sources: Pulse says, “Jones and Leva sing with a sophistication and compassion that turns simple moments into art;” Art Menius writes: “…they add daring harmonic ideas and unexpected chords without losing sight of rural American music;” The Washington Post praises their “Timeless poetic and affecting songs….;” Crossroads says, “This music is rooted in tradition, but is still young, fresh and powerful.”

Prior recordings have graced Gavin’s Americana charts, and been listed among the Top Ten recordings of the year from Berkeley to Montreal. In the past two years Jones and Leva have been featured in articles in Acoustic Guitar, Sing Out!, No Depression, and Pulse!. They were also named among the top thirty artists of the new generation of acoustic musicians by Acoustic Guitar magazine. Jones and Leva have brought their unique brand of original mountain music to such festivals as MerleFest, Rocky Grass, Strawberry, Live Oak, Bele Chere, IBMA FanFest, and Vancouver Bluegrass. The duo will be showcasing “Vertie’s Dream“ before enthusiastic audiences at choice venues this spring and summer.

Vertie's Dream

Tracks:

Something Shall Remain
Vertie's Dream
Sent To Me
Dip Your Fingers In Some Water
Scorned And Mocked
You're Not Mine
When We Have Love
River Of Fire
Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah
Washington's March/Jim And Arnold
The Man In Me
I Ain't Big Enough
Minister's Farewell/Last Of Callahan

Album Description

“Vertie's Dream“ is the latest offering by Jones and Leva, the Virginia-based duo known for their spine-tingling duets and classic original songs. This, their third nationally-distributed release, adds significantly to their reputation as being at the forefront of today's singer-songwriter movement. In contrast to earlier recordings, this CD incorporates several choice traditional tracks with their own original material to arrive at a work that mirrors their engaging stage performances.

In her notes to the recording, Suzanne Thomas succinctly describes the success of “Vertie's Dream” by stating: “First, there is the carefully chosen and beautifully crafted material, a mix of old and new, providing a link between their songwriting and their traditional backgrounds… Then there is the instrumental work, that sense of timeless timing — groove, if you will — that is uniquely theirs. But most of all, there is the singing. The singing is extraordinary. To my ears, Jones and Leva are the very best vocal duet on the scene today.” The recording is further bolstered by the appearance of mandolin virtuoso John Reischman, banjoists Mike Seeger and Dave Winston, and bass player Dave Grant.

Prior recordings have graced Gavin's Americana charts, and been listed among the Top Ten recordings of the year from Berkeley to Montreal. In the past two years Jones and Leva have been featured in articles in Acoustic Guitar, Sing Out!, No Depression, and Pulse!. They were also named among the top thirty artists of the new generation of acoustic musicians by Acoustic Guitar magazine. Jones and Leva have brought their unique brand of original mountain music to such festivals as MerleFest, Rocky Grass, Strawberry, Live Oak, Bele Chere, IBMA FanFest, and Vancouver Bluegrass. The duo will be showcasing “Vertie's Dream“ before enthusiastic audiences at choice venues this spring and summer.

Customer Reviews:

great CD.......2003-01-28

My favorite song on this album is Vertie`s Dream, which is haunting and old-timey sounding, although it was written by the artist. Copper Creek Records always produce great CDs and I have almost the whole collection!

Marvellous, wonderful, fantastic, superb...........2000-09-02

There aren't enough over-the-top words in the English language to decsribe this album. James and Carol Elizabeth's songs are poignant, meaningful, well-executed, and from the heart. They live this stuff, and their conviction shows on their recordings, and especially in person. Their warm personalities show through in every phrase, every stroke of the fiddle, every harmony lock. The title song, and "Sent to Me," are both so touching as to make a tear come to my eye every time I listen. Traditional music is in very good hands, folks. Mother Maybelle would be proud. Order this disc. Now.

Vertie's Dream by Jones & Leva.......2000-07-31

I got out of bed one Saturday morning, intent on making my way to a popular music & arts festival in Asheville, NC. However, I made the mistake of putting my brand new copy of Vertie's Dream on the CD player. I never made it to the festival. I could not pull myself away from this delightful hodgepodge of traditional and original numbers from this extremely talented duo. This CD has so many excellent examples of the genres of music that are so interrelated yet distinctive - bluegrass, old time, classic country, gospel, shape note and spiritual. And the singing and harmonizing is so exquisite (and at the same time, raw) that I just sat in the floor and cried from the joy of it. And the shear genius of the placement of one particular song is like 7-minute icing on a Devil's Food cake. I'd write more, but I've got to go listen to this CD again.

Music Album:

Music Album