Retro Reviews: The Osbourne Brothers: Today Yesterday and the Osbourne Brothers

   I decided to launch a new series to imagine myself as a critic at the end of the 60s and start of the 70s, and to rectify certain reviews from Rolling Stone magazine and Creem. This not meant to be contrarian, but to offer a more balanced perspective. This is a lesser-known album.

The Osbourne Brothers – Today, Yesterday and The Osbourne Brothers (1968)

***

Producer: Slim Williamson

Musicians: Bobby Osbourne, Sonny Osbourne, Dale Steed, Ray Edenton, Jimmy Buchanan, Ronnie Blackwell, Benny Birchfield

Songs: Will You Be Loving Another Man, Molly and the Tenbrooks, I’ll Never Shed Another Tear, My Little Girl In Tennessee, I’ll Never Love Another, I’ll Go Sleeping Too, Rocky Top, Gal, You Got a Job To Do, My Favorite Memory, Drivin’ Nails In My Coffin, If I Could Count On You

Reviewed By Matthew Anthony Allair

    Considering the release The Byrd’s Sweethearts Of The Rodeo, and the influence of new member Gram Parsons, it compelled me to think about the trends with the country scene and traditional Bluegrass, and established act The Osbourne Brothers has put out a new release of Bluegrass and Country material. Current Country has learned towards a pop sensibility with the aim to smooth out the rough edges, this is in contrast to Appellation culture, and segments of Bluegrass that embodies the deepest rural areas in America. All of which makes me wonder if the counterculture could embrace such an album, this isn’t to say, they shouldn’t, but many may perceive this as ‘square’ and out of step, which would be unfortunate. Many Bluegrass players, especially banjo players have a virtuosity with them that is enticing. 

    Leaders, Bobby and Sonny Osborune are adept players, and singers, and are backed by some solid musicians, side one is a little more stripped down with a sextet of players and side two features added percussion and Pedal Steel guitars. Most of these are traditional ballads, lost love, or affairs. Songs like “Gal, You Got A Job To Do” will feel hopelessly outdated to younger listeners, but then again The Rolling Stones get’s milage out of the same provocative attitudes as reflected here, therefore, it’s hard to say. Often the main showcase is Bobby’s Mandolin, Sonny’s Banjo, or Jimmy’s fiddle, all of which is established with the opener “Will You Be Loving Another Man”, There’s a certain spry feel to “Molly and the Tenbrooks” and the intimacy is reinforced. The pleasant “I’ll Never Shed Another Tear” has a catchy melody that is enhanced by the arrangement. The brisker “My Little Girl In Tennessee” has a similar set of changes from the prior number, but Bobby’s Mandolin stands out, Dale Steed offers the third vocal on many numbers. The first half is rounded out by “I’ll Never Love Another” has Bobby’s stretching out with his playing, and the closer “I’ll Be Sleeping Too” is a showcase for Sonny’s Banjo work.

    Side two has a more polished sound as evidenced by the single “Rocky Top”, a rather brisk number with electric pedal steal which duel with the banjo, and a shuffle. There’s a kind of kind of menacing humor to “Gal” with a nice switch up, but most people will take it with a grain of salt. With “My Favorite Memory” features some nice three part harmony, piano flourishes, pedal steal moments that offers a change of pace. “Drivin’ Nails In My Coffin” has a vibrant tempo, and honky tonk piano, in spite of the subject, someone spending too much time at the local bar. The closer, “If I Could Count On You” kind of finishes up the tone for the album. Most of this is all pretty straight forward, there isn’t much self-reflection, much of the music reminds me of the kind you’d hear on the Jukebox of a country bar. But it is pleasant for those looking for something relaxing and different.