Blue Highway (1999)

About this title: This is Blue Highway's first album for the Ceili label and it's an auspicious piece of work. The group members are all reaching the peak of their musical powers, both in terms of their instrumental prowess and their vocal skill. Factor in the strong songwriting of Shawn Lane and Tim Stafford and it all adds up to one of the most polished acts in bluegrass. The album features not only fiery instrumental work, as in "Lonesome Hearted Blues," but also a wonderful a cappella, rhythmic gospel number, "I Am Near the Gate" (written by Lane), a couple of tunes that approximate country music rather ... read more

Tracks:

1. Born With a Hammer in My Hand [Stafford/Lane]
2. Troubles Up and Down the Road [Traditional]
3. Lonesome Hearted Blues [Wayne/Mullican]
4. Clay and Ottie [Stafford]
5. Man of Constant Sorrow [Traditional]
6. I Am Near the Gate [Lane]
7. I Hung My Head [Sting]
8. Don't Come Out of the Hole [Taylor]
9. Lonely Old Town [Mathewson]
10. It Wasn't You [Stafford/Tyminski]
11. That Could Be You [Taylor]
12. Father I Know Why [Lane]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.