Dede Wyland "Keep The Light On" (Patuxent Music)

Dede Wyland. Yeah, I’ve heard that name, read it many times before. But I never heard anything by her until Keep the Light On, her new CD, was recently released on the Patuxent Music label.

Small wonder that I’d heard that name and read about her several times. This gal is good — a terrific and versatile vocalist that, despite a supporting cast of superpickers, is hands down the centerpiece of this CD.

Ira Gitlin, who plays bass on one track of the 11-tune CD, also penned the liner notes. Gitlin’s take on Wyland’s new album: “(It) is a powerful statement from one of bluegrass music’s great artists.” Bingo!

The power is exemplified in two cuts that are musical opposites, the heavy social statement, “Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)” a Bob McDill / Dan Seals tune, and “Chime Bells,” a light-hearted oldy and goody co-written by the late Elton Britt, who yodeled his head off on the original version. Wyland gives “Everything That Glitters” an even more solemn and soulful interpretation of the lyrics than was delivered on the Dan Seals country hit. On “Chime Bells,” Wyland gives Britt a run for his yodeling money, including holding single notes for such a stretch that even the listener is left gasping for air.

Those comparisons are a good demonstration of why Dede Wyland is such a sought-after vocal trainer in the Washington, D.C. area, where she’s lived since 1990, and at music camps around the country.

Wyland’s no newcomer to this game. She’s been in bluegrass — first in regional bands around her native Milwaukee area– since the 1970s. Her career also included being a charter member and rhythm guitarist of Tony Trischka and Skyline in New York City in 1980. Wyland finally grew road-weary and left Trischka’s band in 1988 and eventually wound up in the nation’s capital.

But, in D.C., Dede Wyland continued to perform and went on to win six “Wammies” for Bluegrass Singer of the Year from the Washington Area Music Association.

Her core band on Keep the Light On consists of Mike Munford on banjo, Ronnie Simpkins on bass, mandolinist and fiddler Rickie Simpkins and Wyatt Rice on guitar. Guests, besides bassist Gitlin, are fiddler Darol Anger and guitarist Tom McLaughlin.

Adding harmony vocals to the tracks are Randy Barrett, Dudley Connell, David McLaughlin and Fred Travers.

Saying a rousing “Amen” to Gitlin’s description of this CD as “powerful,” I’d like to add one of my own adjectives: Charming.

Leave the Light On is a nice mix of styles, from cut to cut, and just a downright good listen.