From Rocky Top to Muddy Bottom

Ralph Willsey · From: Ottawa Valley, Canada

Many thanks to whoever it was months ago who recommended this 1977 recording (The Osborne Brothers and Buddy Emmons doing songs by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant). It just arrived a few days ago.

I certainly did want to hear Mr. Emmons playing bluegrass, and as you'd expect, it's a wonderful, natural sound that mixes well with the Osbornes' unusual harmonies. It was certainly worth the wait and the price.

A bonus was getting some Bryant tunes that I had never heard before, like "Banjo's Going Home," which won't stop playing in my head. I'm hoping some of you can share some recollections of the Bryants. As the liner notes point out, their songs are down-home and yet quite sophisticated at the same time.

The notes include a memo from the songwriters, thanking the Osbornes for recording these tunes. It ends something like this:

" . . . as soon as our psychiatrists let us have sharp objects again, like pens and pencils, I'll write some more.
Felice Bryant
P.S. Boudleaux would have written this but he's worse off than I am.
Felice"

Is this just a joke about the songwriter's legendary pessimism, or what? The Bryants had some pretty big hits. You'd think they'd be happier than lots of writers. Anybody know?

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

Hey Ralph,
That's a great album for sure! I have the double LP set and have mentioned it on the Forum a couple of times. Mostly because it's a master's course in how to play backup steel guitar. There isn't too much emphasis on steel breaks on this set but there are some of the tastiest fills you ever heard in your life not to mention beautiful tone! This is the big E at the top of his game.

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney tuning.

[This message was edited by Jerry Hayes on 19 March 2002 at 04:05 PM.]

ebb · From: nj

could you give record co. and catalogue # for this piece?

thanks
ed

Ernie Renn · From: Brainerd, Minnesota USA

Buddy kickin' ***!

From Rocky Top to Muddy Bottom.

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My best,
Ernie

The Official Buddy Emmons Website
www.buddyemmons.com

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