The Best Of Larry Sparks: Bound To Ride (Rebel, 2008)
Larry Sparks
Reviewed by John Walker
Also included are three songs not previously available on CD - "Blue Ridge Cabin Home" from the 1975 King Bluegrass LP "Sparklin' Bluegrass," "Bound To Ride" from the 1976 King Bluegrass LP "You Could Have Called" and "Imitation Of The Blues" from the 1983 "Blue Sparks" LP. It is extremely difficult to pick out only the best from an artist who began his career more than 40 years ago with the Stanley Brothers. Rebel has done a great job, however. The hits include "John Deere Tractor," which the Judds used to catapult their career on their debut 1984 release, the lonesome yearning classic "Smokey Mountain Memories" and the nostalgic "Tennessee 1949."
This collection is a good introduction for those not familiar with Sparks. It is easy to see why he has twice been named top male vocalist.
CDs by Larry Sparks
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