Rose Maddox Albums (8)
'The Moon Is Rising'
Release Date 1/1/1996
Tracks 12
Label Country Town Music
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The Moon Is Rising was started in 1987 and finally finished at Mad Dog Studios in 1996. Between the time Rose Maddox and John Jorgenson began the bluegrass project and the time they finished it, their lives had taken drastic twists and turns. Still, California country & western legend Maddox is without a doubt one of the consummate performers to come out of the central valley and make a contribution to the Bakersfield sound. Known for her solo work as well as her time as a member of the Modesto-based Maddox Brothers & Sister Rose, her joining with the younger Jorgenson provides an interesting look at how two generations can come together for the sake of the music. Both are outstanding and Rose has a feel for Western bluegrass that has inspired Laurie Lewis and her band, Front Range. Their cover of Buck Owens' "Down to the River" is most entertaining. Another California legend, Bill Bryson, who also adds his skills as a bluegrass bass man and background vocalist to the mix with good results, contributes his song "Love Me or Leave Me Alone," an outstanding composition made better because of the talent involved. Making their presence known on this recording are expert L.A. players Jay Dee Maness on pedal steel and dobro and percussion master and background vocalist Steve Duncan. Overall, Jorgenson's production works nicely with Rose's vast experience. The material is steeped in tradition as are the players, making for a pleasant and uplifting experience. ~ Jana Pendragon, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Rose Maddox's first album following seven heart bypasses and three months spent in a coma, after which she had to re-learn to talk, let alone sing, is an excellent and welcome addition to the Maddox family catalogue. Rose Maddox's voice had weathered very well, and with an excellent backing band, including most of the Desert Rose Band and the fiddle of Byron Berline, her signature sound remains in top form. A fine testament to her legendary status within the country music community, Merle Haggard and composer David Price contribute songs written especially for the occasion, with Haggard contributing harmony vocals on "Dusty Memories." Johnny Cash even sings her praises in a non-musical dialogue. The final product is a fine combination of bluegrass, Western swing, and Bakersfield country, all presented with a very professional sound. Fine examples of the latter are covers of Buck Owens' "Falling for You" and "We're Gonna Let the Good Times Roll." A beautifully understated rendition of Gram Parsons' "Sin City" and the exemplary musicianship on the traditional "Blue Ridge Mountain Blues" are also highlights. David Price's three songwriting contributions range from the completely appropriate gospel of "Blood Stained Hands" to the somewhat maudlin "Tonight I'm on Stage" and "$35 and a Dream," which charts the history of the Maddox family and puts Rose Maddox in the strange position of singing about her own legacy. All in all, there still isn't a bad track here, and $35 and a Dream would be one listeners' last looks at a true country legend. ~ Matt Fink, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
In her prime, Rose Maddox was known as a country and rockabilly singer. But as she got older she spent more and more time singing with bluegrass bands, and this fine album (originally released on LP in 1983) was recorded over the course of two days with the Vern Williams Band. The program consists entirely of gospel songs, and the combination of Williams' slightly gruff high tenor and Maddox's powerful, brassy voice is a surprisingly effective one. The band itself is, for the most part, fairly workmanlike, though there are several sparkling moments of inspiration. They show a particular affinity for songs with tricky and irregular rhythms -- "We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder" is more difficult than they make it sound, and their hocketing vocal arrangement is lots of fun. They also manage to make the extra beats in "Turn Your Radio On" sound completely natural. Other highlights include an appropriately soaring version of "I'll Fly Away" and a soulful rendition of "Church in the Wildwood," but "I Can't Feel at Home" is given a slightly plodding treatment here and the title track is a bit maudlin, even by bluegrass gospel standards. Even with its minor flaws, though, this disc is a welcome reminder of one of country and bluegrass music's most powerful female voices. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Rose Maddox began her long career in 1937 and essentially never stopped singing until her death in 1998, constantly touring and charming audiences with a voice that could swing from sad, solemn and reverent to boisterous and lusty as a song demanded. Her peak years were in the '40s and '50s when she was a part of the Maddox Brothers & Rose, a family group that was alternative country decades before the term had any real meaning, mixing a blend of honky tonk, hillbilly and nascent rockabilly into a rousing stew of pure American energy. In later years she gravitated more to pure bluegrass, but her exuberant honky tonk attitude was always present in everything she did. This set was recorded on September 20 and 21, 1980 with the Vern Williams Band (the LP was released a year later on Arhoolie Records), and that attitude and verve is everywhere apparent. This is bluegrass, yes, but it is bluegrass music that hasn't divorced itself from straight hillbilly country, and Maddox makes Woody Guthrie's "Philadelphia Lawyer," Merle Travis' "Dark as a Dungeon" and genre standards like "Rocky Top" sound just a little beer-soaked (in the best sense) and it is impossible to ignore the sheer joy she gets from singing these songs. Her signature piece, "Sally Let Your Bangs Hang Down," which she must have sung thousands of times, sounds here like she had just discovered the song, and it races forward with a wonderfully fresh and ragged feel. The kinetic ballad "Ashes of Love" is another clear highlight. Her work as part of the Maddox Brothers & Rose is still the place to start, but this set proves that she never stooped to simply doing bluegrass-by-the-numbers. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
'Reckless Love & Bold Adventure'
Release Date 1/1/1977
Tracks 12
Label Takoma
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'Rose Maddox Sings Bluegrass'
Release Date 1/1/1962
Tracks 12
Label Capitol
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What The Critics Say
Of the many fine (and now rare) LPs she cut for Capitol, this humdinger is the best one to break your neck trying to find. On this bluegrass sung with honky tonk fire, sparks do fly. ~ Dan Cooper, All Music Guide
