Down By the River
I have only heard the Gillis Brothers on a previous tape and now on this new CD. Judging this way, I will be looking forward to the opportunity to see them in person and meet them. To me, they sound real, honest and true to what they are doing. One of my first impressions was that they are Stanley Brothers flavored. Not copied _ flavored.
This new CD not only continues the flavor but has Stanley material, as did the other release. "Our Last Goodbye" is the first number and a good "grabber." The CD is listed as The Gillis Brothers and their Hard-Driving Bluegrass Band. It shows on their instrumentals especially. An original, "Hell Broke Loose in Georgia," is a hot one (no pun intended). "Wild Turkey" and "Whoopee" break up the fourteen selections rather well. There are several originals, such as "Down By the River," "Keeper of the Door," and "I Stood on a Mountain." There are others, some slow and the like, and then along comes a favorite Reno & Smiley number, just to keep up the pace.
I believe bluegrass fans will like this new effort and will like the Gillis Brothers for a long time to come. A building act and a budding label in this particular case will be winning combination. Get yourself a tape or the CD when you see the brothers perform or write Hay Holler Harvest, Inc., 1691 Lusters Gate Rd., Blacksburg, VA 24060.