This heartfelt and powerhouse tribute to
Byron Berline's father, Luc Berline, is a testimony to the family traditions of folk music, and beyond that, it is quite a get-together of bluegrass greats with five -- count 'em -- five banjo players on board just because Dad liked the banjo so much.
Vince Gill is also on hand in the rhythm section; this was back in the days before he left bluegrass for country & western stardom. The family concept also extends to featuring Bette Berline on piano. The music is well recorded although nit-pickers may balk at the too-meticulous nature of a typical Rounder production. The music could use a bit more of an edge to it, but it dances along with a tremendous lightness, the players sometimes presenting the traditional themes as if they were piling up shining gold coins.
Berline's tribute is a treasure chest indeed. ~ Eugene Chadbourne