Making Memories by Jay Armsworthy & Eastern Tradition

There’s also some classic country tunes here that have been recreated in a traditional Bluegrass style including, “Blue House Painted White”, “Stranger In My Home”, which features for the first time on recording, Tom Gray singing lead, “You’re The Only Good Thing”, and also instrumentally, “Help Me Make It Through The Night”.

A Jay Armsworthy & Eastern Tradition recording is not complete without adding at least one gospel tune to the repertoire and here they have included three. The old standard hymn “How Great Thou Art”, “Ship From The Kings Harbor Shore”, and an old song once sang by Kitty Wells, “Singing On Sunday”. This is one that will surely become a favorite!

Marc Bolen has played banjo with such groups as Charlie Moore, George Winn, and Jimmy Martin. There’s also an instrumental that he used to do with the “King of Bluegrass” titled “Big Country”. A couple of Carter Stanley originals are here, “How You’ve Tortured My Mind” and ”Girl Behind the Bar” which Tom Gray recorded in the 60’s with the Classic Country Gentlemen. Other tunes include Jim & Jesse’s “Congratulations Anyway” and Don Reno & Red Smiley’s “I’m Jealous of You”.

Review:

Down south of Washington, D.C., a band of bluegrass practitioners are preserving a traditional sound without relying on dazzling displays of speed and melodic invention. Instead, Jay Armsworthy & Eastern Tradition execute their music with keen insight for their bluegrass and classic country. In 1995, guitarist Armsworthy worked with David Davis and the Warrior River Boys. I presume that he started this band shortly after leaving Davis, and

the group has had a few personnel changes over the years. "Making Memories" is their third release and also features Tom Gray (bass), Mike Phipps (mandolin) and Marc Bolen (banjo). All but Bolen sing lead and harmony vocals. Given the nature of their repertoire, it might have been nice to include a guest fiddler or resophonic guitarist to round out and enhance their overall sound.

The four band members bring over a century of bluegrass experience to the group. Armsworthy has been performing since age ten. For 7 years, he hosted the "Bluegrass on the Bay" show on radio stations in Lexington Park, Maryland. His solo recording project is called "Just Lookin' For Fun." Phipps has played with Fred Travers, and The Dixie Ramblers (with Keith Arneson). Bolen has played banjo for over three decades, performing with George Winn, Carolina Grass, Charlie Moore, and Jimmy Martin and various Florida solo artists. Gray is the only bassist inducted into the IBMA Hall of Honor. He played with Seldom Scene from 1971 until 1987 when he went to

work with Paul Adkins. He's also played with Gary Ferguson, Roger Green, Fred Travers, Federal Jazz Commission, Hazel Dickens Band, and Randy Barrett

and the Barretones.

The 14 cuts include a nice mix of obscure bluegrass and classic country material, most presented with a relaxed approach. Songs are drawn from Carter Stanley, Aubrey Holt, Jim & Jesse, Ray Pennington, Kris Kristofferson, and others. Fitting comfortably like an old shoe, their music

is calming and unlikely to offend anyone. "Dirty Old Couch and Chair" is a catchy, new song written by J.C. Poff about four walls, two windows, and a couple other items left after a life-long love affair. I understand that "I'm a Stranger in My Home," a ¾-time song penned by Neal Burris, Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart is the first time that Tom Gray's lead vocal has ever been recorded. Roy Botkin's "Singing on Sunday" is guaranteed to get your

toes tapping. Jay Armsworthy and Eastern Tradition certainly have drive in their music, but I wouldn't call it real hard driving. Rather, it has a very pleasant, affable and kind-hearted quality. (Joe Ross-staff writer for Bluegrass Now magazine and various Internet sites)

Average Customer Review: