For more than four decades, profoundly influential bluegrass band The Seldom Scene has shared its undeniable talent, progressive repertoire, and creative spirit both in the studio and on stage. Long Time… Seldom Scene features fresh interpretations of 16 oft-requested tunes and is the band’s first studio album since the GRAMMY-nominated album Scenechronized in 2007. It’s a family reunion in all the best ways, featuring the current – and longest-running – lineup, joined by founding members Tom Gray and John Starling and guests Chris Eldridge, Emmylou Harris, and Rickie Simpkins. 54 minutes, 36 page booklet.
Review:
Legendary and long-tenured bluegrass outfit the Seldom Scene mine their
own legacy on their 2014 collection Long Time…Seldom Scene, the group's 17th
studio album and first since 2007's Scenechronized. Since their inception in
1971, the group has seen a revolving door of membership, with founding members
and their replacements coming and going, yet their strong musicianship and
progressive spirit have remained a common thread throughout each incarnation of
the band. Long Time acts as both an anthology and a reunion album with a track
list made up of freshly adapted renditions of some of their most requested live
cuts played by the same modern-era lineup from Scenechronized (banjo player and
founding member Ben Eldridge, dobroist Fred Travers, guitarist Chris Eldridge,
bassist Ronnie Simpkins, mandolinist Lou Reid, and guitarist Dudley Connell)
with founding members Tom Gray (bass) and John Starling (guitar) returning to
the fold. As has always been the case with the Seldom Scene, the arrangements
are smart and the performances are of the highest quality. The bright, crisp
edginess of their more recent studio records is replaced by a warm, roomy sound
that suggests a return to analog equipment and a more minimal microphone
arrangement. It's a welcome change making tracks like “California
Cottonfields” and “Big Train (From Memphis)” sound more off the cuff and
full of live energy. The solo vocal performances are spot-on and the group
vocals blend smoothly, especially on their 1974 classic “Wait a Minute.”
A guest spot from Emmylou Harris, joining the band on her Gram Parsons-penned
classic “Hickory Wind,” is also wistful and lovely highlight on this strong
collection from one of bluegrass' most enduring institutions.
All Music Guide – Timothy Monger