Meet Me By The Moonlight

Two top bluegrass vocalist/instrumentalists team up for this collection of old-time brother duets meant to echo the style of such early siblings as the Stanley Brothers and the Monroe Brothers. On this effort, Dudley Connell of the Seldom Scene (and formerly the Johnson Mountain Boys) and Don Rigsby of the Lonesome River Band (and formerly J.D. Crowe & the New South) step out from behind a full-band sound to offer starker arrangements. Therefore, the bonus is on the vocals, and this setting works amazingly well. Their outstanding, often chilling harmonies are augmented by Connell's guitar and Rigsby's mandolin as well as guests Ronnie Simpkins on bass and Aubrey Haynie on fiddle. The duo's a cappella harmony on the gospel knee-trembler "Dark and Thorny" is particularly stirring; other highlights include Carter Stanley's "Our Darlin's Gone" and Bill Bolick's "I'm Troubled, I'm Troubled." These two men are not merely acting as revivalists or aping the legends of yesteryear, they are showcasing their own well-documented and time-proven talents. For fans of bluegrass harmonies, this collection is a stone-cold winner. ~ Erik Hage