Maddox Brothers and Rose

• Columbia Historic Edition [Columbia, 1985] B+

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Columbia Historic Edition [Columbia, 1985]
These Alabama-born Californians wore pre-Nudie suits, called their music "Okie boogie," and eventually settled in Hollywood, yet somehow little sister Rose is now a minor bluegrass icon who respects the verities for labels like Takoma and Arhoolie. I prefer her Hollywood. Admirers of the Morrells' cover of "Ugly and Slouchy" will have some idea how hot and funny "The Hiccough Song" and "I've Got Four Big Brothers" and their sendup of "I've Got a Woman" are. But when Rose puts heart and soul into "Green Grow the Lilacs" or "Bringing In the Sheaves," I keep expecting one of her bros to break into a stage cackle, and it never happens. B+