the classic gospel song, slowing it down and adding in the super-soulful vocals of Mavis Staples. Going to church has never been more fun. You can feel the Spirit throughout the record, from the rocking “Boogie Woogie Down the Jericho Road” to the uplifting “Cathedral,” with special guests Pastor Evelyn Hubbard and Brother Kenneth, and the crowning jewel of “Sunday Morning,” “Heaven,” a beautiful, harmony-filled tune to wrap up one of 2014’s finest album releases. Highly recommended...I have never been a huge Bluegrass fan, but over the past ten years, I have grown to love a handful of artists in the genre, like Del McCoury, Ralph Stan- ley, and a few others. One act that I dearly love is The Roys. Brother and sister Lee and Elaine Roy are absolutely great. I have been listening to them since they debuted in 2011, and on The View, their fourth album, they have achieved something special - their best album to date. From their
tribute to the American soldier, “Those Boots,” to the tearful farewell to a friend, “Heaven
Needed Her More,” the instrumentation and vocal harmonies are impeccable. And speak- ing of sad songs, “Sometimes” is the best song I have ever heard about Alzheimers. If this one doesn’t tug at your heart, you’d better check for a pulse. The inspirational “Mended Wings” is another good one, about the day we all go to be with God. My favorite cut is the title track, “The View,” co-written by The Roys and Grand Ole Opry host “Whisperin’” Bill Anderson, is a celebration of their Grand- parents and their beautiful final resting place. Voted Inspirational Country Music Blue-
grass Artist of the year for three consecutive years, The Roys have come a long way since
their debut, and every achievement is earned and well deserved. As I said in the beginning, I don’t listen to a lot of Bluegrass, but you can bet your last dollar I will be playing this one many, many times in the coming months- and years. Lee was quoted as saying that he and his sister poured their hearts into this project. Well brother Lee, it shows. Heart always wins
out...Graham Nash has delivered a serious piece of musical history with CSNY 1974, a three-CD live set (with bonus DVD) that cap- tures the supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young at their best during that land- mark tour that found them overcoming ego- clashes and performing marathon 3-hour shows that featured as many as 40 songs, in- cluding not only songs from their catalog but also songs from each member’s solo work. Kicking the party off with a bang is Stephen Still’s “Love The One You’re With,” one of the band’s biggest hits. It’s a bit shaky vocal wise, but by the second song the guys are back on top with “Wooden Ships.” Two electric sets with an acoustic set sandwiched in the middle make for quite a nice show. While CSNY sound great on the electric stuff, the true magic comes during the acoustic set. It’s what they were born to play. From Neil Young’s “Almost Cut My Hair” and “Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” to the always beautiful “Our House,” it’s just perfect. “Prison Song” is just as relevant today as it was back when it was written. Lots of truth in those words. Stephen Stills’ acoustic tune “Word Game” is a not-so-subtle re- minder of just what a monster guitar player the man is. The acoustic set shines with the timeless “Guinevere” and Young’s excellent “Old Man.” One electric track that will simply melt
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