The disappearance of vocalists who sing bluegrass in the traditional style is a common lament among fans of the genre's pioneers. Nobody sounds like Bill Monroe anymore, or Ralph Stanley, or Jimmy Martin. They just don't make singers like they used to.
Traditional bluegrass fans would no doubt also claim that the last place anyone should look for authentic bluegrass singers - to say nothing of bluegrass gospel singers - would be among alt-rockers.
Traditional bluegrass fans, meet Kris Hixson and Paul Coleman, collectively known as Coal Country. Their debut CD, Lay My Crown, with its strong echoes of The Stanley Brothers, is a predominantly bluegrass gospel outing that, without fusing the two genres, includes alt-rock songs as well.
A High-Octane Brother Duo
The CD kicks off with the Stanley Brothers classic, "Purple Robe" (titled "Scarlet Purple Robe" here). Hixson and Coleman are a force of nature, telling the story of Jesus' show trial and crucifixion with unmistakable passion and drive.
The succeeding tunes don't disappoint. The sinner's prayer, "Show Me the Way," will remind listeners of the mountain soul made famous by vocalists like Dave Evans, Wes Miller, and Jimmy Martin. The title track anticipates the mercy and grace extended by Jesus when we've endured to the end, driving home the point that good deeds are meaningless without hope, faith, and Jesus' love.
With "I Know a Man Who Can," made famous by George Jones, the singers give moving testimony to the kinds of miracles that Jesus can do. Against an unadorned instrumental backup, they witness that Jesus can and does love us in all our brokenness; that, unlike us, He can love without limits.
Bluegrass gospel fans may know "Look What I'm Trading For a Mansion" from Paul Williams' version. It tells the story of a woman on her deathbed surrounded by friends and family, who nonetheless is overjoyed to leave earthly sorrows behind for a heavenly home with Jesus.
In every case, the vocals have such drive and intensity that it's only after awhile one notices the near absence - in the mix, at least - of banjo. It's an unfortunate lack; bluegrass-style banjo would have made the perfect, muscular foil to this brother-style duo.
It wouldn't be the first time that a band had put songs from multiple genres on the same album. But the alt-rock tunes, "Mikey (Navy Seal Tribute)" and "Show the Way," while lyrically heartfelt, simply don't stand up to the bluegrass gospel numbers. There are stronger, more unique alt-rock bands out there - bands whose alt-rock is as powerful as Coal Country's bluegrass gospel.
Live Bluegrass Gospel From Coal Country
Lay My Crown closes with two live tracks. What these cuts lack in fidelity they make up for in power, proving that Coal Country is just as compelling in the studio as they are on stage.
In contrast to the recent Junior Sisk version, Coal Country's take on "The Lowest Valley" is more propulsive than hymn-like, while a reprise of the title track is so raw that it might have come from a '30s era Bluebird 78.
For fans of those old bluegrass records, Coal Country is an unexpected but absolutely essential find.
Sources
Coal Country Bluegrass Gospel. 2011. Coal Country Bluegrass Gospel. June 22, 2011.
Coal Country. 2011. Coal Country. June 22, 2011.
Diane Amov - Bluegrass singer/songwriter and classically-trained flautist who has written on bluegrass and American roots music since 2005.
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