Uncontained

by Wildfire

Overview

What would J.D. Crowe's band sound like with banjo stud Scott Vestal in place of Crowe? The answer is Wildfire. Comprised of four former members of Crowe's New South, along with Vestal, Wildfire's debut is an attention-grabbing effort filled with virtuoso picking, well-chosen albeit slightly commercial-leaning songs, and reliable singing. Resonator guitar master Phil Leadbetter, one of the top players in his field, shares solos with Vestal, mandolin player Darrell Webb, and guitarist Robert Hale. On cuts like the workhorse "Louise," Leadbetter's knack for phrasing never veers too far astray from the core melody, whereas he flashes his speedy fingers on the Flatt & Scruggs favorite "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down." On cuts like Delbert McClinton's "Victim of Life's Circumstances," Webb's mando playing is melodic, tasteful, and rhythmically solid when providing the required downbeat. Bluegrass conventions are pretty rigid to begin with, so it's difficult to expose a personality, but Robert Hale manages to squeeze some into his bluesy style. Like all his work, Vestal's parts throughout are idiosyncratic, both tonally and melodically. But the vocals, led by Hale and backed by Leadbetter and Webb, are equally as strong. Hale's vocals are strongest on the opening cut, "Rough Edges," and he also manages to escape the shadow of George Jones on James Taylor's "Bartender Blues," made famous by Jones. With only two original tunes, the only question surrounding this band is if they can write material as strong as they can play it. ~ Scott Cooper

Product Details

Release Date:	08/14/2001
Label:	Pinecastle
UPC:	0755757111423

Tracks

1. Rough Edges
2. Don't Let Me Stand in Your Way
3. Victim of Life's Circumstances
4. Bartender Blues
5. Maria (Love to See You Again)
6. Fall on Your Knees
7. Louise
8. You Can't Cut Me Any Deeper
9. Moanin' the Blues
10. Straight and Narrow
11. It Could Be You
12. Don't Let Your Deal Go Down

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Wildfire   Primary Artist
Sonya Isaacs   Vocal Harmony
Scott Vestal   Banjo
Phil Leadbetter   Baritone (Vocal),Guitar (Resonator)
Robert Hale   Guitar,Vocals
Curt Chapman   Zeta Bass

Technical Credits

Wildfire   Producer
Jesse Jones   Engineer
Hank Williams   Composer
Paul Siebel   Composer
Clan of Xymox   Composer
Delbert McClinton   Composer
Randall Hylton   Composer
Steve Wariner   Composer
Bil VornDick   Mixing
W. Walker   Composer
Robert Hale   Composer
Gladys Stacey Flatt   Composer
Wayne Walker   Composer
Bob Murray   Design,Art Direction,Photo Illustration
Tom Riggs   Executive Producer
Curtis Allen   Composer
John Eberle   Mastering
Jody King   Composer
Jon Weisberger   Liner Notes
Marty Stuart   Composer
Jerry Organ   Composer
Kathy Bowen   Project Coordinator
Louise Certain   Composer