CD Review

Phil Ledbetter
Philibuster
(Rounder)

A first-rate player of the resonator guitar (ie. Dobro, National), Ledbetter proves that he can translate any language into the distinct patois of his instrument. On this album, he mixes covers of traditionals like "House of the Rising Sun" and "Old Rugged Cross," country-bluegrass standards like Bill Monroe's "Big Mon" and Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and pop-hits like McCartney's "Yesterday" and the Turtles' "Happy Together." There's able stringband accompaniment throughout from Scott Vestal on banjo, Richard Bennett on guitar, Rickie Simkins on fiddle and mandolin and Curt Chapman on bass, with help from Ronnie McCoury on mandolin on a few tracks. Ledbetter weaves his way among these other voices, like - if you can possibly excuse the simile - like a mockingbird, breathing new life into the repetoire of the resonator, which is typically a lonely, laconic instrument.