BILL YATES AND FRIENDS: The Country Gentlemen Tribute

Bill Yates And Friends

The Country Gentlemen Tribute

© 2006 Mastershield Records (843017004421)

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Traditional bluegrass

notes

Bill Yates and friends " The Country Gentlemen Tribute" is a wonderful way to pay homage to a group of influential bluegrass musicians including the great Charlie Waller. The vocals and instrument power on this cd are amazing.Upon hearing this listeners will be taken back to a memory of times past when music was raw talent and pure emotion.
Some highlight tracks include " Little Bessie", and "Heaven", a must for the die hard bluegrass fans and also those who are just starting to get into bluegrass to get a taste of the past.
More tribute albums should be made just like this, keeping true to the way things were and remembering the times and people who have passed on before us.
As long as we have albums with so much emphasis on Charlie Waller and his songs, as this one is, Charlie will never be forgotten and his legend will live on.

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  • author: Buster Sexton

    Bill: Love the album. I has the sound of the old C.G. for sure and I love it. If you ever need me to play some banjo for you, let me know. Just e-mail me using helenandbuster@hotmail.com or call: 540-337-2676. Your buddy, Buster Sexton

  • Yates & Friends succeed in depicting both sound & psyche of the pioneering Count
    author: Joe Ross

    Playing Time – 35:02 -- It’s interesting that two recent bluegrass releases, Bill Yates’ “Country Gentlemen Tribute” (on the Mastershield label) and The Country Boys’ “Sing Bluegrass and Gospel” (on the Hay Holler label), both cover the same three songs on their respective albums. The songs in common are Redwood Hill, Little Bessie, and Walking Down The Line. Both albums actually chose “Redwood Hill” (written by Gordon Lightfoot) as their set opener. This reinforces the great impact that the seminal material of The Country Gentlemen has had on many subsequent bluegrass units. Perhaps it’s because the songs are nostalgically soothing and fit the bluegrass repertoire like a pair of old shoes. Bill Yates was directly involved with the late Charlie Waller for 18 plus years, and his entire album is a tribute to capture and recreate the former band’s sound. The common ground in both projects is the expression of honor, praise and respect in more ways than one. Bill Yates spent many years playing bass for The Country Gentlemen, but on this tribute album he only sings (lead and harmony). The bass playing is left to Dave MacGlashan. To recreate the historic sound, the SPBGMA Preservation Hall of Greats member assembled some other excellent musicians too -- Mike Phipps (lead and harmony vocals), Darren Beachley (guitar, lead and harmony vocals), Dave Propst (mandolin, lead and harmony vocals), Kevin Mallow (fiddle), Scott Walker (banjo), and Mark Clifton (resophonic guitar). These guys are well-known on the eastern seaboard as members of such fine groups as Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Shenandoah Blue Band, and Jay Armsworthy & Eastern Tradition. With four lead and harmony vocalists on the album, it certainly would have been nice if liner notes had indicated who is singing what. However, it is apparently Mike Phipps who provides the stellar vocalizing reminiscent of Charlie Waller’s. Mastershield Records confirmed that it is Mike Phipps singing most of the lead on the project. Yates and Friends succeed in depicting both sound and psyche of the pioneering Country Gentlemen. While some may argue that it’s the original releases that were most pivotal to the genre, it’s also beneficial to revisit that same material with a new updated cast of musicians using contemporary recording technology to recreate a sound from decades before. Another volume is hopefully in the works for future release. While neither The Country Boys nor Bill Yates seem to be striving for great commercial success with their albums, it’s certainly heart-warming and reassuring to know that there are bluegrass groups like them. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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