McPeak Brothers
The McPeak Brothers, from Wytheville, Va.., were in their prime in the 1970s, at a time when it was a lot harder to make a living from Bluegrass music that it is today. Though greatly appreciated by all who saw and heard them sing, Dewey, Larry, and Mike McPeak survived with various local day jobs, and only got known musically on a regional basis. This wonderful “Best Of” album replaces a long out of print Rebel CD as well as the 2 County LPs and one Rebel LP that this collection is drawn from. (No less an authority than Sonny Osborne was impressed enough to get the McPeaks a contract with RCA Victor). The McPeak Brothers were ahead of their time in selecting great material from a variety of sources (Michael Martin Murphey, Dallas Frazier, Merle Haggard and Pete Goble, etc.) In our opinion this is one of the most successful contemporary Bluegrass albums ever, with every song a gem. Their masterpieces include The Last Time, Simon Crutchfield’s Grave, Lost River, Steel Rails, Shelley’s Winter Love, Old Blue Tomorrow, Bend In The River and Preachin’ Up A Storm. For those who appreciate top-flight vocal trios, this gem of a record is highly RECOMMENDED
The McPeak Brothers, from Wytheville, Va.., were in their prime in the 1970s, at a time when it was a lot harder to make a living from Bluegrass music that it is today. Though greatly appreciated by all who saw and heard them sing, Dewey, Larry, and Mike McPeak survived with various local day jobs, and only got known musically on a regional basis. This wonderful “Best Of” album replaces a long out of print Rebel CD as well as the 2 County LPs and one Rebel LP that this collection is drawn from. (No less an authority than Sonny Osborne was impressed enough to get the McPeaks a contract with RCA Victor). The McPeak Brothers were ahead of their time in selecting great material from a variety of sources (Michael Martin Murphey, Dallas Frazier, Merle Haggard and Pete Goble, etc.) In our opinion this is one of the most successful contemporary Bluegrass albums ever, with every song a gem. Their masterpieces include The Last Time, Simon Crutchfield’s Grave, Lost River, Steel Rails, Shelley’s Winter Love, Old Blue Tomorrow, Bend In The River and Preachin’ Up A Storm. For those who appreciate top-flight vocal trios, this gem of a record is highly RECOMMENDED