Variety of Country Songs by Reno & Smiley

Don Reno and Red Smiley may not have been brothers like the Louvins, Delmores, and the other fraternal duos that defined the sound of post-war bluegrass, but their seemingly effortless vocal blend was so masterful it seemed as if they'd been singing together since birth. Incredibly, guitarist/vocalist Smiley had lost a lung in Sicily in WWII, but it posed no impediment to his heavenly tones. Multi-instrumentalist Reno's tasty banjo and mandolin licks provide just the right touch of color throughout this album, perfectly framing the duo's vocals. From the old-time nostalgia of "Springtime In Dear Old Dixie" to the propulsive rhythm and superhuman banjo-picking of the broken-romance plaint "Never Get To Hold You In My Arms Anymore," Reno & Smiley remain fully in control of the mood, deftly shifting from wistfulness to exuberance with understated grace. Those who think the book of hardcore bluegrass closes with Bill Monroe and the Louvin Brothers would do well to listen to A VARIETY OF COUNTRY SONGS.