Mike Mitchell Band “Fathers & Sons”

The brand-new CD Album by the Mike Mitchell Band, produced by Mike Mitchell, Amanda Cook, & The Mosley Brothers, and released by Turnberry Records is ‘Fathers & Sons’. ‘Fathers & Sons’ is a collection of stories about both Fathers and Sons and is also an in-depth look at some aspects of their relationships. The album contains 13 songs, all of which are original music.
The music included is as follows: ‘I Hear Banjos’ (Mike Mitchell, Elizabeth & Emily Anderson), ‘Making Hay’ (Dawn Kenney, Mike Mitchell) ‘It Rained’ (Rick Lang, Mike Mitchell), ‘Someday (They’ll Play That Song For Me)’ (David Morris, Mike Mitchell), ‘Uncommon Man’ (Dawn Kenney, Mike Mitchell), ‘Love Of The Mountains’ (Allen H. Mills), ‘Save Me’ (Jack Shannon, Mike Mitchell), ‘Reach Out Your Hand’ (Rick Lang, Mike Mitchell), ‘I Gave My Heart (To The Girl Who Gave Her Heart To Jesus)’
(Mike Mitchell), ‘Fly’ (Dawn Kenney, Mike Mitchell), ‘Calling Me’ (Jack Shannon, Mike Mitchell), ‘Summer Wages’ (Ian Tyson), ‘Fathers & Sons’ (Kevin Slick, Mike Mitchell) *Please note, detailed writing credits are in the Liner Notes.
The musicians included in the project are as follows: (Some notations may expand on this list in the Liner Notes & CD Cover.) Jason Moore – Kay Bass, Joey Mosley – Fairbuilt Guitar, Baritone Vocal on ‘Calling Me,’ Jake Moseley – Weber Mandolin, Tenor Vocal on ‘Calling Me,’ Tray Wellington – Deering Banjo, Jesse Smathers – Tenor Vocals, Greg Blake – Tenor Vocal on ‘Uncommon Man,’ Jesse Brock – Baritone Vocals. Alex Donahue is the bass on ‘Calling Me,’ Mike Mitchell is the lead vocalist, and Arthur Conner is the 4 & 5 String Fiddle & Viola.
Regarding the discussion of the tracks themselves, the difficult challenge within the project’s results was ‘to give you a hint of the song itself and its nature, without inadvertently plagiarizing or spoiling the detail of the song descriptions, as the producer provided them.’ You can read excellent and detailed info about each song in the Liner Notes! I tried not to duplicate this.
‘I Hear Banjos’ is a rip-roaring start to a new, creative journey into parenting with a bluegrass arrangement. ‘Making Hay’ is fun and funny; there’s a strong lead vocal, the instrumental breaks are lovely, and it is instructive as the meaning of double entendre. ‘It Rained’ has beautiful solos for all the instruments in the band! Is this about your crops or The Great Flood? ‘Someday (They’ll Play That Song For Me)’ is a melancholy reminiscence about Bluegrass Stars who passed in 2019, as led by Alan Bibey’s song at IBMA.
‘Uncommon Man’ is the story of Greg Blake, as told by his friends, regarding the decisions he made about his career. Excellent harmony included. ‘Love Of The Mountains’ is some natural ‘grass that takes you back to the roots of the Blue Ridge Mountains. ‘Save Me’ is a story of how we can put everything we have into our work, but sometimes it’s not enough. Then, can we find that only the Lord can fully provide what we need? ‘Reach Out Your Hand’ is a fictional story about true relationships between fathers & sons. ‘I Gave My Heart To The Girl (Who Gave Her Heart To Jesus)’ I wonder if it’s just fun or real. ‘Fly,’ in my opinion, is a sincere, sensitive look at ourselves and our children and how important we are to each other. ‘Calling Me’ is a Remix of an older song released as a single, and this writer thinks it fits perfectly here. I’m sure’ Summer Wages’ is my favorite out of the project. The concept is genuine for someone who had to rely on himself early on. ‘Fathers & Sons’ is a very personal message from Mike Mitchell—an excellent wrap-up to the album.
After this review, I am aware that Mike Mitchell is a musician, an instructor, a teacher, a singer, a songwriter, a storyteller, and a music dad. Mike’s work is very professional and covers all aspects of this project. Working with him is a distinct pleasure. I hope the people at Turnberry Records realize what they have.
For the listeners, enjoy the Bluegrass music, the lyrics, the fun, and the stories accompanying the songs. Every song on this album is terrific! It’s a top-notch album that could be one of the best of the year… That’s my story, & I’m stickin’ with it.