Karl’s back with his brand of honky-tonkin’ country and retrograss. His third release for Rebel Records has twelve cuts with seven originals written by the band’s banjo-player, Jake Jenkins. Shiflett sings with a lot of pep and vinegar, and “If I Could Take You Home” is a favorite. Another standout track is definitely “How Wrong A Man Can Be” with a guest appearance by Jim Lauderdale singing lead. Mandolinist Randy Lindley contributed the bouncy “Bobo’s Boogie,” while dobroist Andy Ruff composed “Each Night I Dream of a Lady,” a song he sings solo with a real nice old-fashioned country twang. Jenkins’ instrumental, “Hoss Fly” is a barn-burner. Covers from Johnny Cash (“I Still Miss Someone”), Terry Fell (“Truck Driving Man”), and Virginia Stauffer (“I Live in the Past”) round out the project.

Since they formed in 1993, The Karl Shiflett and Big Country Show have exhibited a great deal of hard work, effort and dedication to preserving a traditional style of country music. They were recipients of the 2001 International Bluegrass Music Association's "Emerging Artist Award." In 2002, they were nominated for the Entertainer of the Year Award, and Jake Jenkins was nominated for Banjo Player of the Year.

The band includes lead vocalist Karl Shiflett (rhythm guitar), Kris Shiflett (upright bass), Jake Jenkins (banjo), Randy Lindley (mandolin), Chuck Westerman (fiddle), Andy Ruff (dobro), and Billy Box (percussion). Lindley sings solo lead on “I Live in the Past,” and the band’s quartet is featured on the album’s gospel closer, “Oh Lord, I Pray.” Inspired by the spirit and soul of bluegrass music, these guys are rejuvenating and promoting an exciting classic sound of yesteryear. Gathering around their single ribbon mic labelled “KSBC,” the band takes an earthy approach to their music which recalls the day when country, bluegrass and old-time mountain music were very nearly the same and radio stations played it all.

For some genuinely guttural music that also makes the heart feel good, “Worries on my Mind” is a good choice. The crisp and clean sound quality is in-your-face excellent. Back in the fifties, I’d call this album hunkydory. I guess that description would still hold true today. (Joe Ross) 

KARL SHIFLETT and Big Country Show – Worries On My Mind

Rebel Records REB-CD-1792

Rebel Records, PO Box 7405, Charlottesville, VA 22906

http://www.rebelrecords.com  EMAIL: tgarber@rebelrecords.com

Total Playing Time – 36:46

Song List – Worries On My Mind, Turn Around, If I Could Take You Home, Bobo's Boogie, How Wrong A Man Can Be, I Still Miss Someone, Truck Driving Man, I Live In The Past, Hoss Fly, I Wish I Was Him, Each Night I Dream of a Lady, Oh Lord I Pray