Jim & Jesse Story CD

Jim & Jesse might be bluegrass's most famous act next to Bill Monroe, and they certainly have the catalog to back up the claim. While THE JIM & JESSE STORY is a fantastic collection, the set does not include the duo's original performances--all of the songs are re-recordings of their most famous hits from sessions in the early '90s with former members of the Virginia Boys. Despite this, Jim & Jesse have never made a sub par recording and these performances have the duo's heavenly harmonies and stellar picking aplenty. This 2007 reissue features four previously unreleased tracks from the original sessions--"Where Do We Go From Here?," "Are You Tired of Me Darling?," "Rider in the Rain," and "Those Brown Eyes." THE JIM & JESSE STORY is not the best collection of the duo's most classic performances--for that, try JIM & JESSE: 1952-1955--but these readings pop and are a worthy introduction.

By the time Jim and Jesse McReynolds recorded THE JIM & JESSE STORY for CMH in 1990, the duet had been major stars of the bluegrass scene for nearly 40 years. As you might imagine, a group with that much history has a pretty sizeable repertoire to draw from. It should come as no surprise, then, that this album--which contains 24 of Jim & Jesse's most popular numbers--is a wall-to-wall delight.

THE JIM & JESSE STORY demonstrates some of the versatility that has allowed the group to prosper in the ever-changing music business. The group works out on such diverse fare as John Prine's "Paradise," Hank Snow's "Golden Rocket," and their own truck-driving classic, "Diesel On My Tail." Of course, there's plenty of straightforward bluegrass here as well, such as "Sleepy-Eyed John" and the group's signature tune, "Just Wondering Why." The years, thankfully, had done little to dull the brothers' remarkable harmony singing, nor is Jesse's signature mandolin playing in any way diminished. Accordingly, THE JIM & JESSE STORY is a fine introduction to one of bluegrass' greatest and most enduring acts.

Recording information: Hilltop Recording Studios, Nashville, TN; Sound Stage Studio, Nashville, TN.

Photographers: Col. Jim Silvers; Ken Kim.

Unknown Contributor Role: Jesse McReynolds.

Arranger: M. Christian.

The Jim & Jesse Story: 24 Greatest Hits contains the majority of the duo's biggest hits and most familiar numbers, including "Diesel on My Tail," "Paradise," "Cotton Mill Man," "Better Times a-Coming," and "Are You Missing Me." However, the disc does not contain original recordings -- it is all re-recordings from the early '90s. Nevertheless, the album does boast a number of excellent performances, since the duo is supported by several of the finest former Virginia Boys, and they themselves sound energetic and surprisingly lively, making The Jim & Jesse Story a fine introduction to the duo's sound. [CMH's 2007 reissue featured four additional bonus tracks, along with the original 24.] ~ Thom Owens

Personnel: Jim McReynolds (vocals, guitar); Jimmy Capps (guitar); Bobby Thompson (banjo); Jim Buchanan (fiddle); Keith McReynolds, Billy Linneman (bass guitar); Will Ackerman, Willie Ackerman (drums); Jesse McReynolds (vocals, guitar, mandolin); Don McHan (vocals, guitar); Lloyd Green, Weldon Myrick (dobro); Allen Shelton, Vic Jordan, Carl Jackson (banjo); Blaine Sprouse (fiddle); Jerry Whitehurst (piano); Buddy Harmon (drums).

Liner Note Author: Peter Wolak.