Greenbrier - “Back of the Book”

When the first track and title cut of Greenbrier’s new CD, “The Back of the Book,” came through my speakers, I thought: Great thumb-style (ala Travis-style) guitar, good vocals, good harmony. But strictly bluegrass it wasn’t. Way too much reverb on the lead vocals and the mandolin chops sounded too much like a snare drum tapping out the afterbeat. All in a good way, mind you. It sounded like mighty fine Southern gospel music.

But, Track No. 1 misleads what follows. Make no mistake, this is bluegrass — bluegrass gospel with plenty of new tunes written by members of Greenbrier, including the title track, written by band member Roger Helton, who does plenty of singing on the project and adds guitar, banjo and dobro support.

Others in the trio which is based in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., are Jimbo Whaley on guitar and vocals and bass player Scott Carris, who also adds vocal work to the 11-track CD, which is available from the Web site, www.jimbowhaley.com.

Two things really stand out on this CD. One, it contains a great deal of quality original material, songs that will have you really listening to the lyrics. Too often, it seems gospel CDs have a tendency to be filled with songs that invite a capella arrangements, but otherwise are generally weak in the lyrics department. Not so with the compositions here, including the a capella offering of “Gloryland,”a public domain tune performed by whaley and Helton. That track is followed by a wonderful Easter Brothers song, “Thank You, Lord.” The simple but effective version of the old Carter Family classic, “Workin’ On A Building,” is also difficult not to like.

In the bluegrass genre, honest and powerful voices like these are allowed to stand on their own, unpolished merits. May it always be so.

The other standout quality of “The Back of the Book” is the genuine, earthy vocals that Helton and Whaley contribute. Rest assured that if this group had been pegged to compete in the commercial country market, studio-hired vocal coaches would have ruined these two fine vocalists. In the bluegrass genre, honest and powerful voices like these are allowed to stand on their own, unpolished merits. May it always be so.

Guest musicians on the CD are Danny Barnes on mandolin and revered fiddler Shad Cobb. Ray Ball joins the group to sing the lead in the final track, “I’ll Have a New Life.” Ball’s vocal style is a good fit for the group with its rich earthiness.

Greenbrier has one previously released CD, “I Want to Know More,” that was released in 2005 and Whaley has numerous solo projects including: a live performance DVD/CD, “Jimbo Whaley & Friends” released in 2007, “The Kings of Orebank” released in 2006 and his self titled album released in 2005.

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