Proving once again their ability to deliver creative arrangements, top-notch vocals and impressive instrumentation, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers are poised to deliver audiences the selection of songs found on their latest Billy Blue Records project, Let Time Ride. The full-length album will be released world-wide March 17 but is available for preorder now.
Preorder Let Time Ride Here
Produced by Mullins and Radio Rambler Adam McIntosh, Let Time Ride is a masterfully crafted collection of 12 songs covering the gamut of tempos and emotions. As evidenced by the album's first two singles, "Big City" and "I've Been Down That Road," the band is not one to be confined to the expected norm for an all-powerful bluegrass ensemble. Mullins' avant-garde approach to recording affords the band great opportunity to showcase new, classic, and even genre-bending songs to listeners. In fact, that ability has served the band very well over the years allowing them to churn out hit upon hit and making them a songwriter's dream. Case in point, Mullins recognized the writing talents of his daughter-in-law, Santana Mullins, a few years back. Hence, the lead off and title track, "Let Time Ride;" a driving number that right out of the gate shines a light on Mullins' banjo prowess, proving his recent SPBGMA Banjo Player of the Year title.
Mullins continues to shine vocally, too, on "Black And White," a look back to simpler times when family and common sense were prevailing themes, and on "Play The Wildwood Flower," a lilting love song that will leave a lump in your throat, and featuring Lizzy Long on autoharp. Although his name is at the forefront of the band, Mullins is intent on sharing the spotlight with The Radio Ramblers.
McIntosh, for example, is building a reputation as one of the genre's finer balladeers as showcased on the previously released "Living Left To Do" from their all-Gospel album, Somewhere Beyond The Blue, and this album's aforementioned second single, "I've Been Down That Road." He continues to add to that foundation with "End Of The End Of The World," a country-tinged waltz, lamenting among bendy notes, 'my baby's back from wherever she's been, and it's the end of the end of the world.' But don't let his crooning ability fool you, McIntosh is equally comfortable taking the lead and showcasing his creative guitar style on the driving, trucking song, "Old Fire." Ramblers bass man Randy Barnes brought this tune to the band and gives this cut a rockin' groove that makes you want to hit Route 66 in a cloud of smoke.
Chris Davis makes his recording debut with the Radio Ramblers as the mandolin player, bringing with him an energy that melds with the music effortlessly. "A-Courtin' I Go" is the perfect fit for Davis' vocal flair and personality. He is Joe’s duet partner on “Play The Wildwood Flower” and leads the quartet with his mandolin and vocals on “The Glory Road." Throughout the album, fiddler Jason Barie brings an emotive element offering the "just right" amount of melancholy to songs like Casting Crowns' "Scars In Heaven," and giddiness to "A-Courtin' I Go."
Perhaps though, this overall vocal blend with Mullins, McIntosh and Davis is what makes this album so refreshing, and of the Radio Ramblers configurations, is one of the best in the band's tenure. Adding in the bass vocal of Barnes, Gospel numbers such as the album's a cappella closer, "It's A Grand And Glorious Feeling," wrap up an album that will no doubt stand the test of time.
Let Time Ride will be released everywhere on March 17 and is available for preorder now. Radio programmers can look forward to the next single, "Black And White" to arrive March 3 with a fun concept video release on March 10. For more information on Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, visit www.RadioRamblers.com.
Let Time Ride Track List
Produced by Joe Mullins and Adam McIntosh, Songwriters in Parentheses
1. Let Time Ride (Santana Mullins)
2. I've Been Down That Road (Jerry Salley, Larry Cordle)
3. Black and White (Jeff McClellan, Daniel Salyer)
4. The Glory Road (Marty Stuart, Paul Martin, Harry Stinson)
5. Old Fire (Cliff Wagner)
6. Play The Wildwood Flower (Conrad Fisher)
7. Big City (Paul Williams, Sam Humphrey)
8. Scars In Heaven (John Mark Hall, Matthew Joseph West)
9. A-Courtin' I Go (Barkley C. Davis)
10. End Of The End Of The World (Adam Wright)
11. Forsaken Love (Jason Romero, Pharis Romero)
12. It's A Grand And Glorious Feeling (Albert E. Brumley)