Named one of the top ten CD's of 2001 by the Wall Street Journal (12/28/2001) "RELEASED IN 2001, BUILT TO LAST A nifty collection of country-flavored songs by musicians from Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C., most of whom must've loved the same people who appealed to Dave Alvin, Gram Parsons, Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss and kd lang, among others. Each of the disc's 18 songs crackle with the kind of organic purity that's missing from the high-gloss world of pop. The players in bands like the Fieldhands, Last Train Home, Jumpin' Jupiter, Starling, and Auldridge & Gaudreau deserve a big, big audience and a spot on the "Grand Ole Opry." Description of The Tracks: 1) Last Train Home - Been Awhile This is inspired alt-country reminiscent of the best work of Gram Parsons and The Band. Featuring lead vocals by the Brace brothers, Eric and Alan, and a pedal steel track by former Rosslyn Mountain Boy Tommy Hannum, who is Ricky Van Shelton's musical director. 2) Starling, Auldridge & Gaudreau - My Sally A deep, spooky and profoundly moving track featuring three of the biggest names in bluegrass. John Starling's vocal performance is full of emotion and nuance. Mike Auldridge delivers a haunting Dobro track, and Jimmy Gaudreau's mandolin provides just the right rhythmic drive. Jimmy also sings beautiful high harmonies. This one also features John Previti (Danny Gatton Band) on Bass, and Doug Derryberry (Bruce Hornsby Band) on Guitar. 3) The Fieldhands - Field Hand Man An evocation of the unique sound and style of the Delmore Brothers, this one-off outing features inspired dual lead singing by Alan MacEwen (The Grandsons) and Jack O'Dell (Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun). Moe Nelson (The Grandsons, The Hula Monsters) provides the swing on bass, and pulls off a unique double harmonica break. 4) Jumpin' Jupiter - Buddy Love A real swinging traditional rock and roll track, featuring the energetic vocals of Jay Jenc, the twanging telecaster of Bill Kirchen, and the driving baritone sax of Chris Watling (The Grandsons). Jack O'Dell on Drums and John Previti on Bass lay down the groove. Producer Peter Fox adds the pumping piano. 5) Karl Straub - Blue Train A beautiful reworking of Johnson's excellent ballad, this all-acoustic number features the warm vocals and nimble guitar work of Karl Straub (The Graverobbers). Sitting in on slide guitar is Australian phenomenon Jeff Lang. This one also features some jazzy flourishes on flute and clarinet. 6) Little Pink - Cathode Ray Blue This is an inspired outing by Mary Battiata (vocals), J. Carson Gray (Bass) and Martin Lynds (Drums). This one marries some Phil Spector inspired production (layered vocals and big guitars) over a driving rock and roll rhythm section. The whole thing devolves into a glorious blast of Theremin weirdness during the remarkable bridge. 7) Kevin Johnson & the Linemen - Carolina This is a lovely reading of Straub's "Carolina". It's a mid tempo country tinged tune, with world-weary vocals by Kevin Johnson. It features an excellent slide guitar part by Bill Williams (Last Train Home) and Hammond organ by Mookie Siegel (The Phil Lesh Band). 8) The Graverobbers - It Wouldn't Be Easy This one starts out as an acoustic ballad and builds up into a real jangly rocker, featuring 12-string electric guitar reminiscent of the Byrds and Tom Petty. 9) Tom Clifford - Day Go By A Tex-Mex reading of a great tune by the legendary Evan Johns. Featuring Tom Clifford (King Soul) on vocals and button accordion and Dave Chappell (The Hula Monsters, The Evan Johns Band) on telecaster. 10) Hula Monsters - Things I'm Not This is a new take on a Scott McKnight gem. The Hula Monsters give it their own unique Luau-styled swing, driven by the slide work of the great Dave Giegerich and the guitar work of Dave Chappell. Mark Noone (The Slickee Boys, Ruthie and the Wranglers) sings lead vocals. He and Moe Nelson provide the dual ukuleles, and everyone gets a chance to vocalize on the Hawaiian War Chant section. Kowabunga! 11) The Grandsons - Real Real This is a driving 60's soul gospel track by the always swingin' Grandsons. Featuring the vocals, guitar and tambourine of Alan MacEwen, the honking saxes of Chris Watling, and the piano and Hammond organ of producer Peter Fox. A toe tapper. 12) Ruthie & the Wranglers - Why Must You Leave Me? A great version of this Vernon Taylor ballad. Vernon was an artist on Sun Records in the 50's, and his sweet voice and unique singing style have a special place in the history of rockabilly. This one features a first-take vocal performance by Ruth Logsdon, and tasteful guitar playing by Phil Mathieu. It also features a 50's inspired vocal backing trio of Fanny Zollicoffer, Melinda Root and Janine Wilson. 13) The Kennedys - Tell Me How A jangly treatment of this great, but lesser known Buddy Holly classic, featuring the vocals of Maura Kennedy , and the superb guitar playing of Pete Kennedy. Pete and Maura both used to play with Nanci Griffith, and their first date was at Buddy Holly's gravesite. 14) The Del Swarthmores - Love on the Rebound A country ballad, sung with lots of emotion by Scott McKnight (Last Train Home, Naughty Pine). This one features dobro by Bill Williams (Last Train Home), mandolin by James Key (Martini Red), and fiddle by Bob Spates (Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra) 15) Bill & Louise Kirchen - I'll Never Be Free This is a charming duet by husband and wife Bill and Louise Kirchen, doing the Tennessee Ernie Ford/Kay Starr chestnut. 16) Lisa Moscatiello - The Middle of Nowhere Lisa Moscatiello delivers a gutsy, soulful vocal performance on this Dusty Springfield classic. The rhythm section is The Grandsons, who are joined by tenor saxophonist Derek Huston (The Iguanas). 17) The Rhodes Tavern Troubadours - Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye Vocalist and guitarist Jake Flack (Thousand $ Car) shines on this fine 50's ballad. 18) Americana Motel - Don't Take Advice An "everything but the kitchen sink" treatment of this wickedly funny song by Karl Straub is a fitting closer to the record. It features most of the musicians and singers involved in the whole project, and builds verse-by-verse and chorus-by-chorus into a frenzied finale.