Act 3

by The Seldom Scene

Overview

By the time the Seldom Scene had recorded its first album in 1972, Act I, the band's essential elements were fully operational. John Starling's rich lead vocals, John Duffy's higher lead, and Mike Auldridge's dobro gave the band a distinct sound, while Ben Eldridge's banjo work, Duffy's fancy mandolin licks, and Tom Gray's acoustic bass reminded doubters that the band, despite its smoothness, was a bluegrass band. The Seldom Scene always chose top-notch songs, pulling equally from classic bluegrass and contemporary singer/songwriters, and the group's harmony threw everything into high gear. By the time the Seldom Scene recorded Act 3 in 1973, the band was ready to broaden its sound, but only slightly; on several songs, the band's lineup was augmented by fiddler Ricky Skaggs and guitarist Clayton Hambrick. These changes were unobtrusively inserted into songs like the propulsive "Rider" and "Mean Mama Blues," and added to the Seldom Scene's sound without effecting the overall blueprint. Act 3, like Act 1 and Act 2, is excellent all around, and features a fine, eclectic set list. The lead instrumental track, an acoustic take on "Chim Chim Cheree," may qualify as the band's oddest album kick-off, but this slow, melancholy version is lovely. The five-minute-twenty-second "Rider" pulls out all the stops, and some listeners even prefer it to the longer version on Live at the Cellar Door, while the emotive "Muddy Water" shows that no matter how much the Seldom Scene smoothed bluegrass' rougher edges, the band could still evoke pathos. But listing the highlights of any early Seldom Scene album is only to list favorites: there are no weak links here. For anyone who wishes to hear the Seldom Scene at the top of its game, Act 3 is a good place to start. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/25/1994
Label:	REBEL RECORDS
UPC:	0032511152824

Tracks

1. Chim Chim Cheree
2. Little Georgia Rose
3. Another Lonesome Day
4. Willie Boy
5. Faded Love
6. Rider
7. Muddy Water
8. Mean Mother Blues
9. Sing Me Back Home
10. Hail to the Redskins
11. Don't Bother with White Satin
12. Heaven

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Seldom Scene   Primary Artist
John Duffy   Vocals,Mandolin,Guitar
John Duffey   Guitar,Vocals,Mandolin
John Starling   Guitar,Vocals
Ricky Skaggs   Viola,Fiddle,Violin
Mike Auldridge   Dobro,Guitar,Vocals
Tom Gray   Bass,Vocals
Ben Eldridge   Banjo,Guitar,Vocals
Clayton Hambrick   Guitar
Lord Winderschmere   Sound Effects

Technical Credits

John Terpay   Cover Design
Jack Auldridge   Photography
Ann Hill   Composer
John Wills   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Bob Wills   Composer
Bill Monroe   Composer
John Duffey   Arranger,Composer
Johnnie Lee Wills   Composer
John Starling   Arranger,Composer
Robert B. Sherman   Composer
Richard M. Sherman   Composer
Merle Haggard   Composer
Mike Auldridge   Arranger
Tom Gray   Arranger
Gary Reid   Production Coordination
Billy Jack Wills   Composer
Ben Eldridge   Arranger
Charles R. Freeland   Producer
Phil Rosenthal   Composer
Fred Carlson   Design
George Motion   Engineer