ALBUM REVIEW: Further Down the Old Plank Road : The Nashville Sessions
Victor, 2003 | 82876-52897-2
by Sarah Adams
This release is a delightful trip to further explore the journey the Chieftains had going Down the Old Plank Road. In this album the Chieftains have returned to Nashville to further explore the connections between Irish Traditional music and that of American Bluegrass and Appalachain tunes. It is a wonderful way to follow up one strong album with another strong one. As the old saying goes, "Twice is Just as nice." Several performances on the DVD gave a tantalizing carrot as to what was ahead with strong performances given by Emmylou Harris and Tim O'Brien.
The album provides the listener with wonderful music ranging from lively instrumentals to heartbreaking lyrics. However, this album does have a bittersweet end as it marks some of the final recordings of Derek Bell prior to his death in October 2002. On this album, the Chieftains teamed up with a number of established bluegrass and country artists including Chet Atkins, Doc Watson, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Carlene Carter, Patty Loveless, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Ricky Skaggs, Joe Ely, John Hiatt, and an up and coming group, Nickel Creek.
There are a number of tracks that stand out in my mind for further note. If one listens closely you can hear a the sounds of the cello played by Caroline Lavelle incorporated into several recordings. Her playing is most evident on the track, Lily of the West with Roseanne Cash. This version of Lily of the West is a darker and grittier version that one they recorded with Mark Knopfler on The Long Black Veil. The version they did with Roseanne Cash is one of the strongest tracks on the album. This strong not only has strong performance of the lyrics but great instrumentation.
The recording of Talk About Sufferin' with Ricky Skaggs is another track of note. The first time I heard this song was on a Ricky Skaggs album that was recorded live in London and the song was sung accapella. It was nice to see this piece done with instrumentation. The plucking of the harp and mournful sound of the whistle and flute really define the sadness and heartbreak of the piece. It is reminscent of the old gospel singing styles in the south, particularly in the Appalachain region.
Joe Ely shines on the track of The Moonshiner/I'm a Rambler as a moonshiner down on his luck. Yet he seamlessly blends the Irish version of the song with the American version with the only difference being the mention of shilling. One cannot help but sing along as Ely rambles his way through the song. It is very reminscent of the old Tex Ritter tune of Rye Whiskey recorded in the 1940s. That brings to mind the track that John Prine performed, The Girl I Left Behind from Sunny Tennessee, reminds me of an old Civil War tune that was popular in the north by a similar name. I found that the lyrics were strikingly similar. It is possible that this tune has had several incarnations through the years. However it is brilliantly done by John Prine and backed flawlessly by the Chieftains.
Two other tracks come to mind as particularly strong as the Chieftains team up with Nickel Creek on Raggle Taggle Gypsy. It is nice to see the Chieftains record this old Irish classic. Tim O'Brien shines on Shady Grove both on vocals and mandolin with Chieftains backing him. Jerry Douglas does a great job on the old Irish classic of Rosca Catha na Mumhain as it is connected with two fiddle tunes: Arkansas Traveler and The Wild Irishman. The last two tunes were arranged by Seán Keane. Douglas's work on the dobro blended seamlessly with the Chieftains. I am also very pleased to see the Chieftains work with another great bluegrass picker, Doc Watson. Watson does an incredible job on the Sailor's Hornpipe and Devil's Dream and the Chieftains play right along with his legend. John Hiatt also delivers a strong performance with Jordan's a Hard Road To Travel
Aside from the performances of Tim O'Brien and Emmylou Harris on the DVD for Down the Old Plank Road, there are two tracks that pre-date their brilliant work. Squid Jiggin' Ground recorded with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band appears on the video for Another Country and Conneff's voice blends seamlessly with that of Jeff Hanna. The second track, O'Neill's Hornpipe recorded with Chet Atkins was also recorded in 1992 when they laid the tracks for Another Country.
All in all this is a great album and provides a great example of the relationship of the Irish traditional and American roots music. It is an album that should appeal fans of the Chieftains and bluegrass music. It is a strong album with something for every one.