LORRAINE JORDAN & CAROLINA ROAD, 'True Grass Again," Pinecastle. 11 tracks
Twenty years ago, Larry Cordle and Larry Shell wrote a song called "Murder On Music Row," which indicted the music moguls who "tore out the heart and soul" of country music.
It was named Song of the Year at the 2000 International Bluegrass Music Awards.
Then George Strait and Alan Jackson recorded the song and in 2000, it also received the Country Music Association's award for Vocal Event of the Year.
A year later, it was named CMA Song of the Year.
Now, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road has recorded an indictment of people who are straying for the straight-and-narrow bluegrass trail.
"Now, they're tryin' to kill the grass handed down by Bill Monroe," they sing in David Stewart's "True Grass," the title cut from their new "True Grass Again" album.
"Even though I have dabbled in other styles, it's always been true Blue Grass for me and my band," Jordan says.
"True Grass" isn't the only song on the album carrying that theme.
So does "Pickin' Rock Out of the Bluegrass," a song about a musician who stays true to traditional bluegrass.
So, you can bet that this album would have been approved by Monroe.
Why "Run Little Fox" is even an uptempo song about Monroe's fox hunting in his native Ohio County, Ky.
There's also a song called "Poor Monroe," which isn't about Bill. It's about a lazy man whose family runs him off so they can collect more government subsidies, although I'm not sure how that would work.
"Another Soldier" is a patriotic song about honoring military men and women while they're still with us.
"Preaching Praying Singing" is an uptempo gospel song that's been done by Monroe and other bluegrass legends through the years.
"I Hear Angels Calling Your Name" is a song about love, death and faith.
"Little Country Home" extols the virtues of a rural life.
If you like traditional bluegrass, you'll like this album.
You can find it at www.carolinaroadband.com
