40

40

• 10 UK
• Sparks, Larry
• Cd

<i>40</i> is a stunning set that revisits some of the many highlights of Larry Sparks’ recording career and sets out to create some new ones, all with the help of friends and admirers whose names read like a "who’s who" of bluegrass and country music. Produced by longtime Sparks fan and advocate Don Rigsby (Lonesome River Band, Rock County), this disc features an all-star cast of instrumentalists that includes such distinguished graduates from Larry’s band as his son, "Dee," award-winning fiddler Stuart Duncan, banjoist Barry Crabtree (Wildfire), and mandolin ace David Harvey (Harley Allen Band, Claire Lynch Band), together with special guests like resonator guitarist Randy Kohrs and current members of his band, the Lonesome Ramblers. <P>Yet as glittering as the list of guest pickers is, it pales next to the names of guests who leapt at the chance to sing with Larry Sparks. Vince Gill provides tenor harmonies on a rapid-fire take of the Delmore Brothers’ "Blues Stay Away From Me," country legend Tom T. Hall makes a rare appearance to swap verses on his own "I Want You To Meet My Friend," Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski frame Sparks’ lead with burnished harmonies on the signature "John Deere Tractor" – and that’s just for starters. The long list encompasses country, bluegrass and bluegrass gospel friends and colleagues, but perhaps more notably, as a sign of Sparks’ ongoing influence, a group of next-generation country stars – Andy Griggs, Rebecca Lynn Howard and Kevin Denney, all of whom were familiar with his music before being invited to join in the project. Add it all up and it’s hard to imagine a more fitting and enjoyable celebration of a bluegrass great’s life and career.