Sales Tax Toddle: Richard Greene and the Grass Is Greener (CD & Cassette)

Greene’s third album for Rebel is different in that it features some songs as well as the stunning instrumentals that Greene has become known for. In a tribute to the late Bill Monroe, with whom Greene played in the 1960’s, he includes 5 of Monroe’s songs, sung here by fellow Monroe alumnus Peter Rowan, and with backup banjo by Sonny Osborne. Rowan is in top form, putting down some of the best hard Bluegrass vocals he’s ever done, with powerful versions of MY LITTLE GEORGIA ROSE, NO ONE BUT MY DARLIN, CLOSE BY, WITH BODY & SOUL and ALONG ABOUT DAYBREAK. Greene fills the rest of the album with 7 fine fiddle tunes, including his showpiece LITTLE RABBIT and a knockout original, DONE GONE WALTZ. Tony Trishcka, David Grier, Butch Baldassari & Buell Neidlinger all stand out as well with stellar instrumental work. DRUNKEN MAN’S DREAM, LAST RIDE, 16 DAYS IN GEORGIA