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LILLY BROTHERS & DON STOVER - EARLY RECORDINGS (REB-1688), 1991

Musicians
Everett Lilly: Mandolin, Vocals
Mitchell "B" Lilly: Guitar, Vocals
Don Stover: Banjo
Unknown: Bass

Production Credits
Recorded in Westbrook, ME
Engineered by Al Hawkes
Recorded: circa 1957-1958
Mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering, Boulder, CO

These songs were recorded in 1956 and 1957 by Mr. Al Hawkes of Westbrook, Maine for release on his EVENT label. Four of the recordings were released in those years on EVENT No. 4261 and EVENT No. 4272 (45rpm). The remaining seven cuts were never issued and they appeared for the first time on this album.

Even with all the classic albums that cover the careers of Monroe, Stanley, Reno & Smiley etc, this gem by the Lillys has to be among the top 20. Recorded in 1956 and 1957 by the tiny Event label in the state of Maine, while the Lilly Brothers were in their peak years at the Hillbilly Ranch in Boston, it presents dynamic, no holds barred traditional Bluegrass music that is thrilling from start to finish. Yet despite the fervor and intensity of the music here, there is nothing sloppy or ragged about it. Everett & "B" Lilly—who idolized the Monroe Brothers—start with a mandolin & guitar base that may be even more forceful than that of Charlie & Bill Monroe. By the time you add in the hard-driving 5-string of Stover and a bass fiddle, you have a sound that is unique in Bluegrass. It’s a wonderful collection of songs that include Tragic Romance, Little Annie, Bring Back My Blue Eyed Boy, Long Journey Home, Southern Skies.

The brothers relocated to Boston and are often thought to have brought Bluegrass to New England which influenced Peter Rowan, Bill Keith and Joe Val.