The lure of the mines -- and their dangers and tragedies -- is the subject of many a bluegrass song. Some of the best are spotlit in this exceptionally strong collection from Rebel Records.
From bluegrass legends to promising newcomers, from hardcore traditionalists to boundary-breaking progressives, the full spectrum of bluegrass artists is represented here. The breadth of material is equally dazzling, including classic bluegrass like the title cut (beautifully rendered by Clinch Mtn. Boy, James Allen Shelton on guitar with Shawn Lane, Dan Moneyhun, and Tim Stafford acing the vocals).
There's also the purely mountainous version of "Dream of a Miner's Child" by the teenaged Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley; the original Seldom Scene's propulsive rendition of John Prine's "Paradise"; The Country Gentlemen's haunting "A Miner's Life", and Larry Sparks' soulful "Digging In the Ground".
New artists and songs are equally well represented. New traditionalist, David Davis weighs in with the tragic yet nostalgic lament, "The River Ran Black". Songwriter Becky Buller further cements her reputation with "In Those Mines", which benefits from a raw, emotional vocal by Valerie Smith.
That's only the beginning of the wonderful songs, differing viewpoints, and deep, conflicting emotions that make "Dark as a Dungeon" one of the most affecting albums of 2010.
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