Dudley Connell & Don Rigsby – Meet Me By The Moonlight

This duo is keeping alive a valuable tradition that's liable to fade away: the country "brother" harmony duo. In traditional country music's past, there were the Delmore Brothers, the Louvin Brothers, and others. They sang in a close, tight harmony similar to that found in bluegrass. This sound influenced the Everly Brothers, who in turn influenced the Beatles, the Hollies and too many others to mention. Connell & Rigsby play country music that's closer in style to 1940s/1950s country, long before Nashville came to dominate. No pop polish, just guitars, mandolin, bass, fiddle and two voices sounding like the songs of the Virginia hills from decades past. But this is no museum piece: MEET ME BY THE MOONLIGHT is pure, pre-electric country music with harmony singing so full of ache it could snap your heart in two.

Track Listing:
1. Meet Me By The Moonlight - 2:39   2. Orphan Girl - 3:50   3. I'm Troubled, I'm Troubled - 3:01   4. Oh Lovin' Babe - 3:58   5. Jealous Lover - 3:31   6. Good-bye Maggie - 3:52   7. Short Life Of Trouble - 3:15   8. Dark And Thorny - 4:49   9. Rollin' On - 2:35   10. Dying Boy’s Prayer - 4:02   11. Our Darlin’s Gone - 2:08   12. Old Ship Of Zion - 2:43

Personnel:
Don Rigsby (vocals, mandolin, harmony vocals) , Dudley Connell (lead vocals, guitar) , Ronnie Simpkins (bass) , Aubrey Haynie (fiddle)

Reviews:

1. AllMusic - Erik Hage
Two top bluegrass vocalist/instrumentalists team up for this collection of old-time brother duets meant to echo the style of such early siblings as the Stanley Brothers and the Monroe Brothers. On this effort, Dudley Connell of the Seldom Scene (and formerly the Johnson Mountain Boys) and Don Rigsby of the Lonesome River Band (and formerly J.D. Crowe & the New South) step out from behind a full-band sound to offer starker arrangements. Therefore, the bonus is on the vocals, and this setting works amazingly well. Their outstanding, often chilling harmonies are augmented by Connell's guitar and Rigsby's mandolin as well as guests Ronnie Simpkins on bass and Aubrey Haynie on fiddle. The duo's a cappella harmony on the gospel knee-trembler "Dark and Thorny" is particularly stirring; other highlights include Carter Stanley's "Our Darlin's Gone" and Bill Bolick's "I'm Troubled, I'm Troubled." These two men are not merely acting as revivalists or aping the legends of yesteryear, they are showcasing their own well-documented and time-proven talents. For fans of bluegrass harmonies, this collection is a stone-cold winner.