Cumberland Rose is a collection of traditional and original Americana songs by Kentucky-based music duo Joe LaMay and Sherri Reese. Featuring traditional instruments, Cumberland Rose is primarily an album of old folk, country/bluegrass and gospel songs -- traditionals, covers and a fair number of original pieces -- in the style of the Carter Family and Bill Monroe.

Joe's original songs sound like they came out of the mountains many years ago. He has captured the sounds and traditions of the old American mountain music. Joe even provides a little comic relief from the songs about love, loss and God in the form of "Make Them Chicken Fly," complete with chicken sounds courtesy of Peter Ferrara. Traditional offerings are "In His Arms I'm Not Afraid" and portions of "Lonesome Valley."

Covers include "Broken Hearted Lover," "The Dying Soldier" and "Little Darling Pal of Mine," all by the Carter Family, Floyd Jenkins' "Fireball Mail" and Norman Blake's "When the Fields are White with Daisies."

Joe has found the perfect complement to his voice in partner Sherri Reese.

The songs on Cumberland Rose are easy to follow and sing along with. The album is a must-have for any fan of the traditional Americana sound.

by Sherrill Fulghum
Rambles.NET
11 March 2006

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