****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
When I first met Kazuhiro Inaba at the Takarazuka Bluegrass Festival in 1986, I remember being very impressed with this Japanese gentleman's command of bluegrass, country music and the English language. Although he is also a solid banjo player who started playing at age 15 and won the Galax, Va. banjo contest in 1983, Inaba sticks to guitar on this acoustic classic country project with five Hank Williams songs (Teardrop on a Rose, Cold Cold Heart, Mansion on the Hill, Alone and Foresaken, and A House of Gold). "Mansion on the Hill" is presented as an instrumental with able assistance from Buddy Spicher on fiddle and Bob Moore on bass. Inaba-san also sings Don Reno's "Emotions," the Louvin Brothers' "Are You Wasting My Time?," Paul Howard's "With Tears in my Eyes," Buddy Starcher's "Sweet Thing," and Frederic Weatherly's "Danny Boy."Besides Spicher and Moore, Inaba's other accompanists include Keith Little (harmony vocals, guitar on "Danny Boy") and Kathy Chiavola (harmony vocals). Interestingly, Spicher chooses viola as his instrument of choice for two of the songs, and adds both fiddle and viola to the mix on a third. An 18-page booklet includes photos, as well as lyrics in both English and Japanese.This is Kaz Inaba's second Copper Creek release, and he's also put out some fine bluegrass products on the Red Clay and Hay Holler labels also. As president of Office White Oak, a promotional agency that promotes bluegrass music in Japan, Kazuhiro Inaba is a dedicated musician and entrepreneur. At less than thirty minutes, this project is a little short, but it was a pleasure to hear Kaz and friends singing and playing some of his favorite country numbers. He is one of Japan's finest, and this album will further enhance his international reputation. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)
