Gibson Brothers - Red Letter Day (CD, 2006)

by Johnny Pearce, 05/05/2006

I just can’t help but think that this one is going to be heading toward the top of the bluegrass charts real soon. Following their considerable success with prior albums this one seems a fitting and worthy follow up. The Gibson brothers 2003 Sugar Hill release Bona Fide and their 2004 album entitled Long Way Back Home both made at least one reviewer’s top five pick of the year in Bluegrass Now magazine-no easy feat. These guys are really cranking out some good stuff and this project Red Letter Day will prove to be just as popular.

Material included in this album are five originals written by the brothers and in all a generous 50 + minutes of solid bluegrass music most any fan will enjoy. Some highlights on this CD include a kind of light and fluffy sounding song with a deeper meaning entitled “Walking with Joanna.” “We Won’t Dance Again,” a song with moving lyrics written by Eric deals with what we will all have to face sometime- loss of a loved one and choices we all make on our journey through life. A special treat on this song is addition of the breathtaking harmony of the beautiful voice of Andrea Zonn. Another song that comes alive with the brother’s treatment is the Bruce Robison tune and title cut called “Red Letter Day.” Although this song also laments loss and choices the brother’s do it as great lively bluegrass toe tapper.

One thing I immediately noticed on the CD is the instrumental talent of the supporting group of musicians joining Eric and Leigh Gibson. A quick look at the liner notes tell us why. With a lineup like Jason Carter on fiddle, Ronnie McCoury on mandolin and Mike Barber on bass-just doesn’t get much better than these guys.

Red Letter Day is a great album and a generous serving of fine traditional bluegrass most any fan will enjoy. The brother’s vocals blend well together with tight harmonies few musicians can accomplish. I highly recommend this CD.





See our reviews of other bluegrass CDs by the Gibson Brothers:

See Gibson Brothers - Bona Fide, 2003

See Gibson Brothers - Long Way Back Home, 2004

Click here to visit Gibson Brothers website