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DON RENO & RED SMILEY - SONGS FROM YESTERDAY (REB-1661), 1988

Musicians
Don Reno: Banjo, Lead Guitar on tracks 2, 4 & 8, Vocals
Red Smiley: Guitar, Vocals
Bill Harrell: Guitar
Buck Ryan: Fiddle
Jerry McCoury: Bass

Production Credits
Produced by Ray Davis
Recorded at Wango Studios, Baltimore, MD
Engineered by Ray Davis
Recorded: May 19-20, 1971
Remastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering, Boulder, CO

Songs From Yesterday is a special album. Several reasons account for this, chief among them is the fine selection of vintage material from the 1930s and 40s. Although Don & Red were among the most often recorded bluegrass groups, the accent was always on their unique originals (of which there were many) or covers of then-currently popular country material. As such, they were never able to commercially record a large body of songs of the type they had grown up with, The situation was corrected in 1971 when they recorded this classic collection.

Though this project was largely a group effort, a large share of the credit must go to Ray Davis, the long-time radio personality, promoter, and record producer from the Baltimore, Maryland area. His keen appreciation for and knowledge of genuine bluegrass and country music assured that only the best sounds emerged from his legendary Wango Studios. Ray's earlier production efforts with the Stanley Brothers, Clyde Moody, and others yielded powerful results and his efforts here are no less classic. His knowledgeable direction set the stage for an album of songs that is purely Reno & Smiley: lots of superb duet singing balanced with generous portions of lead guitar and banjo. Backing Don and Red with just the right amount of support are Bill Harrell on rhythm guitar, Buck Ryan on fiddle, and Jerry McCoury on bass.

Tragically; the recorded association of Don Reno and Red Smiley with Ray Davis was rather brief-less than a year after these recordings were made Red Smiley was dead, the unfortunate victim of health problems which had badgered him throughout much of his adult life. However, we are indeed fortunate, and grateful, and these priceless songs and sounds are captured for our own and future generations, allowing us to relive the sorrows and joys found in these Songs From Yesterday.