The Seldom Scene

Remains To Be Scene

Smithsonian Folkways Records

The Seldom Scene is a bluegrass institution now celebrating over five decades of tradition. Since 1971, the group has cast a wide net for inspiration and repertoire. John Duffey and Tom Gray were both members of The Country Gentleman, one of the best bluegrass bands of their day. Gray left in 1964, while Duffey stayed for five more years. In 1971, Duffey, mandolin and lead tenor vocals, formed The Seldom Scene along with Gray, bass; John Starling, guitar; Ben Eldridge, banjo; and Mike Auldridge, dobro. The Seldom Scene soon became one of the genres best. In 1973 they released their second recording, “Act 2,” and while still respecting tradition, they included tunes from contemporary songwriters Norman Blake, John Prine, Gene Clark, Ricky Nelson, and others. They weren’t afraid to experiment, and thus their popularity soared. Although they continued to record, they seldom toured. Duffey’s untimely passing occurred in 1996.

This new album is the first to be released since the recent passing of founding member and trailblazing banjo player Ben Eldridge, who contributes the impassioned liner notes. The current band lineup includes Dudley Connell, vocals and guitar; Lou Reid, vocals, mandolin, and guitar; Ronnie Simpkins, vocals and bass; Ron Stewart, vocals, banjo, fiddle, and guitar; and Fred Travers, vocals and dobro.

This latest effort, “Remains to Be Scene,” is a fitting benchmark of the band’s evolution and affirms The Scene’s rightful place in bluegrass’s pantheon. Opening with the “Last of the Steam-Powered Trains,” written by Ray Douglas Davies and recorded by the rock group The Kinks in the 1960’s, the song is about a freight train highballin’ down the tracks: “I’m the last of the good old fashioned trains… I don’t know where I’m going…I’m gonna keep on rollin'”, with a great bass solo from Simpkins.

“Man At The Crossroads” was written by David Norris and features a lead vocal by dobro player Fred Travers: “If he could, I know that he would; if he’d gone when the morning came on…he’d be home.”. “A Good Time Man Like Me, Ain’t Got No Business (Singin’ The Blues), sports the lyric “You got me singin’ the blues, what’s a good time man like me, ain’t got no business, singin’ the blues.”.

“Hard Travelin'” was written by Woody Guthrie and recorded by Flatt and Scruggs”: “I’ve been having some hard travelin lord…way down the road…a heavy load and a worried mind, looking for a woman that’s hard to find, I’ve been having some hard travelin’ lord.”. “Farewell, Angelina” is a Bob Dylan song written in 1964, based on a version sung by John Mellancamp. “Walking Down The Line” is another Bob Dylan song, first done by the Country Gentlemen and reprised by The Dillards “I’m walkin’ down the line; I gotta’ heavy-headed gal; if she gets better, only time will tell… I’m walkin’, talkin’, tell you about my troubled mind. Money comes and goes; I got holes in the pockets of my clothes.”.

“Lonesome Day” was written by Bobby Love and sung by Travers: “For sixty years we had our love; it’s another lonesome day; ever since you went away, it’s been another lonesome day.”. “I Could Cry” was written by Don Reno, and first recorded by Don Reno, Red Smiley, and The Tennessee Cut-ups, and performed as a vocal duet by Connell and Travers, “I don’t know what this cruel world holds for me, but it doesn’t matter to me much…I could cry.”.

“White Line” written by Canadian Willie P. Bennet, was first sung by original member John Starling and recorded on The Scene’s “Live At The Cellar Door” album, Traver’s plays on Mike Auldridge’s 1935 Regal Dobro #401. On “Show Me The Way To Go Home” written by Cullen Galyean from Low Gap, North Carolina, the scene decided to sing as a quartet on the choruses, “I’m tired of all this smokin’, drinkin’, show me the way to go home” featured is some great banjo from Stewart. On the closer “The Story of My Life” written by Wayne Walker and first recorded by Benny Martin, performed by the ensemble playing and singing in perfect harmony, “there is no happiness for me…that’s the story of my life”.

“Remains To Be Scene” the new album from The Seldom Scene carries the tradition of The Seldom Scene forward for all to enjoy. This is the real deal and a welcome treat brought to us by the folks at Smithsonian Folkways Records. Their legacy lives on.

Richard Ludmerer
Contributing Editor/Making A Scene

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