New Chapter (Mountain Fever, 2022)
Cedar Hill
Reviewed by Donald Teplyske
Straight out of the Ozarks, Cedar Hill - Ray, Bill Cross (banjo, Dobro, guitar,) Pete Brown (fiddle), Patti LaFleur (bass) and Harper (guitar) with everyone singing various parts - continue producing their kind of bluegrass. With "New Chapter" the group, fronted by Dalton Harper on lead vocals, are as impactful as ever.
The songs cover the ground bluegrass should: "That Stanley Sound," mothers and the passage of time ("Tend to My Flowers") honky tonkin' consequences ("Number One at the Bottom"), faith ("Are You Born Again") and instrumental love ("This Old Guitar"). The final two mentioned are strong, original numbers. Ray's "Leavin' Egypt" instrumental, previously recorded by the group on "Stories" in 2004, further enlivens the set.
A number of these songs have hit the bluegrass charts including "How Deep Is the Lonesome," "The Art of Love" and "Tend to My Flowers." Start to finish, a memorable and pleasing bluegrass album expertly executed.
CDs by Cedar Hill

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