Williams & Clark Expedition: The Old Kentucky Road-
reviewed by Joe Ross
The title cut on Williams and Clark Expedition's "The Old Kentucky Road" has the common "longing for home and simple life" theme found in bluegrass music. At the same time, the song's hook about "sweet tea, country ham and cornbread on the stove" could be a good analogy for the music from this band that gives us "a musical journey of harmony, history and humor." Nominated in both 2003 and 2004 for IBMA's Emerging Artist of the Year Award, this band's latest album (their third as a group) will clearly establish them as more than just four recent arrivals on the scene. After all, the members of this quartet have many years of experience working with top names in the music business.
W&CE's unique and personalized signature sound has been crafted around the accomplished picking and singing of Blake and Kimberly Williams, Wayne Southards, and Bobby Clark. Guests Tim Crouch (fiddle) and Ferrell Stowe (resonator guitar, Oahu guitar) make some very nice contributions to the overall sound. "The Old Kentucky Road" takes the band's presentation to an even higher level with a more significant emphasis on well-penned originals, like "Get Gone Blues," "Pleasant Hill," "Too Late, "Sad Union," and the title cut. There are also original instrumentals "Wib's Tobacco Reel" and "Hot Pursuit." Bobby Clark did a nice job arranging "Washington County," an instrumental from the public domain. "Over in the Gloryland" and "Too Late" are their gospel offerings for this project. The latter features some splendid old-time style fingerpicked guitar from Blake Williams. Covered numbers come from Phillip East (Kimberly's father), Keith Little, and Bobby Osborne/Pete Goble.
W&CE's exhilarating presentation conveys plenty of energy and enthusiasm. On this project, their music seems even tighter and high-stepping. With their great songs, strong vocals, impressive instrumental prowess, and superior arranging, they have demonstrated a keen ability to cover all the bluegrass bases. That, in simple terms, is why "The Old Kentucky Home" hits a homerun.