Big Al Weekley

Bluegrass and Americana Gospel

Big Al's Album Reviews

 I will review Gospel and Bluegrass along with some Traditional Country.
My reviews are short and straight to the point, every album should be in your collection.
This list is just a few of many great  albums,  we will update periodically.
If you know of a  album someone has recorded and want possible air play on my radio program and reviewed on our website please send it to:

Big Al
P.O. Box 907
Lexington, Ne 68850

email: BigAl@KRVN.com

 

 

3rd Tyme Out
Russel Moore & 3rd Tyme Out- Rural Rhythm
Though 3rd Tyme Out has changed band members throughout the years there is one constant in the band and that is Russell Moore.  If your a 3rd Tyme Out fan and wondering if this new album sounds like the group of the past, it certainly does!  But, with a new energy,  cut #2 "Me and Dad" is a heartfelt story that only Russell Moore can sing and cut #6 "Prayer For Peace"  reminds us of our world today.  This album is sure to be a favorite in your collection just as other 3rd Tyme Out albums are. www.RuralRhythm.com

1.Hard Rock Mountain Prison
2.Me and Dad
3.Carolina's Arms
4.My Angeline
5.Little John IAm
6. Prayer For Peace
7.Knee Deep In Blues
8.Boiling Springs
9.The Last Greyhound
10.Big City Blues
11.I'm Leaving Town
12.The Eastern Gate

 

 
Special Consensus
Signs - Pinecastle

  I have followed Greg Cahill for years along with his band Special Consensus.  This new album called Signs is a flawless project!
It has a variety of songs and harmonies,  such as cut #7, it is proof of their abilities and experience,  "I'll Go To My Grave Loving You"  was made popular by the Statler Brothers but wait till you hear in this album by Special Consensus .  A beautiful sacred song at the end of the album wraps up a super recording.
for more information:
www.pinecastle.com

1 Signs   Preview
2 Gone To Carolina   Preview
3 Too Late Now   Preview
4 Lonesome Lesson Learned   Preview
5 Footprints   Preview
6 Snowball Breakdown   Preview
7 I'll Go To My Grave Lovin' You   Preview
8 Talkin' Bout It Just Don't Get It Done   Preview
9 Mountain Girl   Preview
10 Leaving This Old Town   Preview
11 My Heart Breaks Again   Preview
12 What A Beautiful Day (For The Lord To Come Again)

 

 

 

Lost & Found
"Love" Lost & Found - Rebel Records
  It has been about 7 years since Lost & Found has recorded and this recording i'm sure to them and will be to you Very Special,  it contains the last mandolin recordings of Dempsy Young one of the founding members who past away.  Even though this album is the newest recording each song tells the story , every chord played and every note sang in itself tells a story.  Allen Mills bass player and founding member has always been able to tell the story through his music and the musicians do the same.  This album is "In Memory" of Dempsy Young,  on some of the tracks there is a new mandolin player and his name is Scott Napier,  he certainly takes care of what Dempsy Young wasn't able to finish.
visit:
www.RebelRecords.com

BACK IN HER ARMS
I WANT TO BE WANTED
IF TODAY WAS THE LAST DAY
A DAISY A DAY
DON'T LET YOUR SWEET LOVE DIE
A COUNTRY BOY IN SEARCH OF A COUNTRY GIRL
IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR YOU
TRAIL OF SORROW
PRETTY ROSES REMIND ME OF YOU
I'LL ALWAYS BE GLAD TO TAKE YOU BACK
WALTZ MEDLEY
LETTER STAINED IN BLUE
THAT'S WHAT COUNTRY FOLKS DO

 

 
Rhonda Vincent
Destination Life - Rounder Records
The Queen of Bluegrass has done it again!  Rhonda Vincent has always had a gift when it comes to arranging and picking out songs to record. The album Destination Life is another jewel you will want to add to your collection,  for example the song "Crazy Love" was a song written by Rusty Young and recorded by the rock band "Poco"  she has certainly made this song her own in bluegrass.  The gospel cuts on the album send chills down my spine.  There is also some original material written by Rhonda and some of her friends.  If you haven't sampled any of Rhonda's music Destination Life would be a great start.   Big Al
for more information: www.Rounder.com

1 Last Time Loving You 02:49    
2 I Can Make Him Whisper I Love You 03:45    
3 Destination Life 03:22    
4 Heart Wrenching Lovesick Memories 02:05    
5 Crazy What A Lonely Heart Will Do 02:46    
6 Anywhere Is Home When You're With Me 03:18    
7 Stop The World (And Let Me Off) 03:22    
8 Crazy Love 02:40    
9 What A Woman Wants To Hear 02:48    
10 I Heard My Savior Calling Me 02:40    
11 Eighth of January 03:44    
12 When I Travel My Last Mile (He Will Hold My Hand) 03:30

 

 

 
Del McCoury Band
By Request- McCoury Music
It's hard to believe that Del McCoury is celebrating 50 years in bluegrass music.  I have talked with Del and introduced him on stage many times,  and through our conversations it  occurred to me that Del has the natural "god given talent" to sing and entertain.  What you hear on the stage is what you get in this album. Pure talent and energy.  That is why Del McCoury is a member of the Grand Old Opry and has received many bluegrass music awards.  If you're a fan of his music or haven't heard his music you need to take the time to learn and listen.  This new album contains music from other previous albums,  but the great thing about the songs is they have all been re-recorded in studio you will not be disappointed in the album By Request and I would advise you to check out the box set..  This album is part of a box set of Del McCoury's music click on the link below and visit his website for more information.  my 5 star plus !    for more info: www.McCouryMusic.com

    1     I Feel The Blues Moving In
    2     The Bluest Man In Town
    3     High On The Mountain
    4     Nashville Cats
    5     A Good Man Like Me
    6     The White House Blues
    7     The Cold Hard Facts
    8     Black Jack County Chains
    9     Loggin' Man
    10     Queen Anne's Lace
    11     1952 Vincent Black Lighting
    12     Rain and Snow

Dailey & VincentDailey & Vincent  Rounder Records
  As I listened to each cut on this album I realized Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent were thinking of the times around us today.  Flawless musicianship and harmony singing sounding like they were melted together.  Not only Bluegrass songs to make you speed down the road but Gospel to make you think!  They also added the song "More Than A Name On A Wall" a Great tribute to all our service men and women.  I personally know the fiddle player Adam Haynes added to their group,  I have had the pleasure to know him and play on stage with him many times.  He is one of the "Best" I've been around!  Look Out for these guys, they will speed to the TOP like a frieghtrain!   Big Al
They get my 5 star plus !    for more info:  http://www.Rounder.com

Dailey & Vincent has 12 tracks:

 

      WinMedia RealAudio
1 Sweet Carrie 02:17 Listen Listen
2 More than a Name on a Wall 02:57 Listen Listen
3 Cumberland River 03:17 Listen Listen
4 River of Time 03:15 Listen Listen
5 By the Mark 03:37 Listen Listen
6 Poor Boy Workin' Blues 02:05 Listen Listen
7 Take Me Back (and Leave Me There) 03:00 Listen Listen
8 My Savior Walks with Me Today 02:22 Listen Listen
9 Don't You Call My Name 02:35 Listen Listen
10 I Believe 03:26 Listen Listen
11 Music of the Mountains 02:53 Listen Listen
12 Place on Calvary 02:32 Listen Listen

Rhonda Vincent Good Thing Going- Rounder Records
 This Album #9 released by Rounder, plus other albums by Rhonda relaeased on other labels leads me to believe that this New Project is the best she's done, and is co-producer as well.  I've heard just about every song and every album she has recorded.  This combination of music and guest, certainly show her talents.  I also enjoyed the history and liners notes included on the album.  Her "Special Guests" include Russell Moore Kathy Chiavola, Keith Urban among others.  "Good Thing Going" Rhonda certainley  has that!   After all her hard work all these years, her music keeps getting better and better.    Big Al
5 stars plus                       for more info visit"www.Rounder.com

 

 
  WinMedia RealAudio
1 I'm Leavin' 03:10 Listen Listen
2 World's Biggest Fool 03:28 Listen Listen
3 I Give All My Love To You - Rhonda Vincent with Russell Moore 03:25 Listen Listen
4 Good Thing Going 03:05 Listen Listen
5 Scorn Of A Lover 03:06 Listen Listen
6 Hit Parade Of Love 02:22 Listen Listen
7 I Will See You Again 04:11 Listen Listen
8 Just One Of A Kind 02:55 Listen Listen
9 I Gotta Start Somewhere 03:30 Listen Listen
10 Who's Cryin' Baby 03:00 Listen Listen
11 The Water Is Wide - Rhonda Vincent with Keith Urban 04:00 Listen Listen
12 Bluegrass Saturday Night

Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass- 
                          Tribute to 1946 and 1947 -Skaggs Family Records
    "Lets start by saying if you waant to teach or learn about Bluegrass, Buy this Album.  Ricky is truly Honoring The Fathers.  Straight Pickin_Duet singing adding that all familiar bluegrass quartet singing,  just like the fathers.  Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder continue teaching at the school of Bluegrass, with Honoring The Fathers.  Watch my playlist you will hear it often!"          Big Al

‘Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute to 1946 and 1947,’ from 13-time Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs and the ace pickers of Kentucky Thunder, is a mix of bluegrass classics and diamonds in the rough.  The album, out March 25th on Skaggs Family Records, shines a light on the songs that would eventually become the building blocks of bluegrass.  Initially recorded by Bill Monroe and the “Original Bluegrass Band” (Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Chubby Wise, and Howard Watts) in ’46 and ’47, songs like “Toy Heart” and “Little Cabin Home On The Hill” provide a window into the bluegrass canon at the eve of its creation. Price $12.98  visit: RickySkaggsFamily  click here
1.
Going Back to Old Kentucky(With Earl Scruggs) 
 

    Mashville Brigade  - Rural Rhythm
                 Bluegrass Smash Hits   Volume 1
This Album Gets Plus 5 Stars 
for more information visit: www.MashvilleBrigade.com or Silverplatters.com

   "I still play & remember hearing the 1st volume of The Bluegrass Album Band,  Solid Bluegrass with Class.   It is great to see The Mashville Brigade rekindle these memories.  These  young men have made up the Bluegrass sound of many Top Stars.  Now they have created a sound of there own,  carrying on where the past left off.  Super Sound & Vocals,  I can't wait for Volume 2"       Big Al

1

My Home's Across the Blue Ridge Mountains Banks of the Ohi
2
 
Whitehouse Blues

3
 
 John Henry

4
 
Take This Hammer

5
 
Sitting on Top of the World

6
 
Two Dollar Bill

7
 
Bury Me Beneath the Willow

8
 
Little Maggie

9
 
Going Across the Sea

10
 
I'll Remember You Love, In My Prayers

11
 
Lonesome Road Blues

12
 
Ain't Nobody Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone

13
 
Salt Creek

14
 
Roving Gambler
 
15
 
Sally Goodin'


    Infamous Stringdusters- Fork In The Road-Sugar Hill
PLUS         Award Winning Album... 
"The Music on this Album is AWSOME!,  it let's me know original talent still exists.  The Infamous Stringdusters can put you in the story of every song & instrumental,  you feel every note and cord!  Buy it and you will Love it.  I also seen thin in concert and are Great Entertainers. " Big Al
Tracks
1.No More To Leave You Behind
2.Fork In The Road
3.Starry Night
4.3 x 5
5.40 West
6.Tragic Life
7.Poor Boy’s Delight
8.No Resolution
9.My Destination
10.Letter From Prison
11.Dream You Back
12.Moon Man

Curt Shoemaker
 Gathering In His Name -Lunacy Records

  and many more....
"In the history of music there are names of people that forever touch your life,  for example...Steel Guitar players in country music Don Helms, Buddy Emmons, Tom Brumley, Shot Jackson
and others.  Let me introduce you to Curt Shoemaker the Newest Member of the Kansas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.  Curt just released his 3rd album on Lunacy Records  "Gathered In His Name" without going into a lot of detail let's describe this gospel album with these analogies,  The artistic ability of Leonardo da Vinci,  the perfect shape of the Hope Diamond,  Hank Williams sang "I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive"  but now you can by adding this album to your music library.  You can enter the secret world of Curt Shoemaker.  You can allow this music and his heart to "Take You Away!".  I'm going to give my personal guarantee on this album and what ever music Curt Shoemaker decides to create because it will stay with you beyond time.  Someday I know if Curt chooses  He Will Be  among these Legends in music I mentioned."
                                                
Big Al   KRVN Lexington        
Turn Your Radio On
Family Bible
The Old Rugged Cross..intro by Les Gilliam
It Is No Secret
Beyond The Sunset
Amazing Grace
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Peace In The Valley...vocals by Big Al Weekley
The Great Speckled Bird
Come Thou Fount
How Great Thou Art..intro by Les Gilliam

 
                               
 

Brothers n Harmony
  GREAT!  - Rural Rhythm
     "I've always been a fan of the Crowe Brothers,  always Great Bluegrass
I put this CD in my stereo and was so Excited!
This album shows the great style they have been developing over the years in music.
  I Loved the duet singing of Reno & Smiley - Louvin Brothers and Wilburn Brothers
all rolled into one!  This album is one you should be sure to have. 
Certainly the Crowe Brothers style stands out and they will always be remembered among the top"  Big Al

1. Cindy Mae 
2. Holding On When You've Let Go  
3.Are You Teasin' Me  
4.Million For A Broken Heart   
5. Better Luck Next Time  
6. Yes I Know I'm Saved 
7. Wich One Is To Blame    
8. Go Away With Me  
9. Why Not Confess  
10. God Must Be A Cowboy  
11. Take Me By The Hand  
12.Country Boy Rock & Ro

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