THE PARTONS
No More Chains
At Calvary – I Didn’t See – Wayfaring
Stranger – Stop By Here – No More Chains – Homesick For A Home – I See
God – Only You – Preparing For Rain – When God’s Spirit Moved
Robert Ownby, who lives in Tennessee, is
one of our faithful members of the National Traditional Country Music
Association. He’s also a very gifted songwriter, and has two songs on
this very nice Southern-Gospel country sounding album by the Partons.
He wrote “I Didn’t See” and “Homesick For A Home.” It just never ceases
to amaze me how ‘real’ rural music survives, and maintains itself in
the hands and hearts of true believers like the Partons. Does the name
Parton sound familiar to you? Yes it should, Tim Parton is Dolly’s
cousin, and is a radio and television host and programmer. He holds the
music close to his heart however, with wife and daughter providing some
harmony vocalizing that astounds me. Just as soon as this trio went
into “Wayfaring Stranger” I began to realize how dedicated they are to
Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The Dobro player Tim Dingus plays
a most soulful lead here, and the song modulates to another key making
it even more interesting. The blessings of Christ shine through on this
group, especially the musicians that gave their talent and musical
understanding to this project. Shane Roark on piano and organ; Tony
Dingus on Dobro, steel, and slide guitar; Burton Akers on bass; David
Castle on electric guitar; Greg English on banjo, mandolin, &
acoustic guitar; and Johnathon Presnell on drums and programming. In
total, it’s a remarkable gathering of gifted musicians, add to this the
dedicated and beautiful voices of the Partons, and we have a winner. I
really liked “I Didn’t See” a nice up-tempo song that features some
really close harmony. The Rural Roots Music Commission has made some of
their selections for CD of the Year awards this year, but they aren’t
finished yet, so off it goes.
RECORD REVIEW BY BOB EVERHART – www.ntcma.net