2008-04-22
Country singer Mattea compiles some of the finest coal mining songs on this CD, bringing the joys and (mostly) sorrows of life in and around the mines to life (with plenty of them about death). The Sago, West Virginia mining disaster of 2006 compelled her to find the right set of songs to convey mining life and the best of them -- such as "The L&N Don't Stop Here No More" (#1), Coal Tattoo (#6) and "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" (#8) -- both educate and entertain. The closer, "Black Lung," is a harrowing a capella number, combined with an instrumental, "Coal." This set may not burn up the spins chart, but is a valuable contribution to the YCE library. 4/08 MJVD F-TraditionalThe Brothers Comatose
City Painted Gold
KELLY HOGAN
I Like to Keep Myself in Pain
BRADFORD LEE FOLK & THE BLUEGRASS PLAYBOYS
Somewhere Far Away
GRETEL
The Dregs
The Waxies
Down With The Ship
Bap Kennedy
Reckless Heart
The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.