Personnel: James Talley (acoustic guitar); Jerry Shook (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo, harmonica); Steve Hostak (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Reggie Young , B.B. King (electric guitar); Dave Gillon (slide guitar); Doyle Grisham (steel guitar); Josh Graves (dobro); Randy Scruggs (banjo); Johnny Gimble (mandolin, fiddle); Johnny Sayles (fiddle); Byron Bach (cello); Charlie McCoy (harmonica); Billy Puett (clarinet, saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Marty Grebb (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Tommy Smith (trumpet, horns); Don Sheffield (trumpet); Irving Kane (trombone); Ralph Childs (tuba, electric bass); Rick Durrett (piano, electric piano, Clavinet, organ); Andy McMahon (piano, electric piano, organ); Kyle Tullis (upright bass); Mike Leech, Tommy Cogbill (electric bass); Greg Thomas , Clark Pierson (drums, percussion); Pebble Daniel, Mary Jo Talley, Marcia Routh (background vocals).
Recording information: Jack Clement Studios, Nashville, TN (1977).
Photographers: Clark Thomas; Cavalliere Ketchum.
Twenty-two songs, electric and acoustic, mostly in a bluesy vein, although the gorgeous folk-style ballad "Up from Georgia" is also here. Talley is good with electric backing, but his acoustic country blues ("Magnolia Boy," etc.) sounds fresher and more distinctive. B.B. King puts in a welcome appearance on "Bluesman" to kick off the set, but the rest has a quiet power that's equally appreciated. The main difference between the two bodies of songs (originally off of two separate albums) is the absence of a trio of female backup singers on the last 12 songs from the later session. A solid midtempo country album in a very deep shade of blue. ~ Bruce Eder
