A great underrated group in bluegrass and gospel music is
The Bluegrass Cardinals. Often touted to be one of the first bluegrass bands to
record a-capella gospel songs in the studio, the group developed a reputation
for solid vocal harmonies and recording original song selections from talented
songwriters like Randall Hylton.
The founder of the group, Don Parmley, unfortunately passed
in 2016. His son David, only 15 when the group was formed, continues to make
music today, honoring his father in a group he names Cardinal Tradition.
For many years, many records by The Bluegrass Cardinals have
been out-of-print or hard to find. Recently, with all their recordings on
YouTube, I have had a chance to listen to all their records and determine their
finest efforts. Therefore, here are all of the 13 studio albums released by the
band, ranked from worst to best. No live albums or albums by solo artists are
included in this list.
13. Livin’ in the Good Old Days (1978)
Track Pick: Knee Deep in Loving You
The group put out a respectable sophomore release on renowned bluegrass label Rounder Records, but looking for more creative control, the group found solace in Lance LeRoy’s CMH Records, recording four records before the death of LeRoy led the group to find another lablel. Livin’ in the Good Old Days is a good effort with top-notch harmonies, but it falls short with loose musicianship and lots of songs that just didn't fit the band's style. The band has some excellent highlights, though. Look for Randy’s vocal performance on “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” the vocal arrangements on “I Wonder Where You Are Tonight,” and the first Randall Hylton song on a Bluegrass Cardinals record, “Uncle Billy Play Your Fiddle For Me.”
12. My Kinda Grass
(1994)
Track Pick: I Won’t Be Around
I’m not sure what David had in mind when he left the group,
but perhaps he was looking to start a solo career in the neo-traditional
Nashville scene at the time. Whatever the reason may be, Don wasn’t looking to
retire. On the heels of a stunning gospel record, Don hired practically a whole
new band, with the talents of Greg Luck (later of IIIrd Tyme Out) picking up
the lead vocals and Herschel Sizemore’s excellent mandolin picking. Their first
effort without David singing actually had him behind the wheel, producing the
record. The new band is in fine form, with tight instrumental arrangements and
strong vocal harmonies, a Bluegrass Cardinals staple.
11. The Bluegrass Cardinals (1976)
Track Pick: Girl at Crossroads Bar
The very first release by the original band. The passion
here is evident. This is surely the craft of an ensemble that loves to play and
sing together. Energy and excitement comes before perfection. What set this
apart from other bluegrass albums coming out in ’76 was the emphasis on the
vocals. Amazing harmonies cannot be overlooked on this record, even with the
awkward mix by an engineer that succeeded in ruining the natural vocal talents
of the group. Randy Graham delivers some energetic standards, while 15 year old
David Parmley finds his vocal footing. Included is “There is a Fountain,”
believed to be the very first a capella gospel song done by a bluegrass band
for a studio track.
10. Welcome to Virginia (1977)
Track Pick: Blue-Eyed Boston Boy
The band’s sophomore release and only album on Rounder Records remains a coveted favorite among fans. After finding success in California, and with a record under the belt, Randy, Don and David wanted to take a chance to build a successful career playing bluegrass music. That meant a move to the center of the bluegrass scene in the south. The three troubadours arrived in Virginia, quickly rounded out their ensemble, and went in to record their Rounder record, and hit the road touring. Thankfully, the Rounder release was mixed much better than the band’s debut, and emphasized the lovely blend of vocals that the group was quickly becoming known for. The material differs from the first record. There is still a strong traditional bluegrass sound, but the material is more unique. There’s the Revolutionary War ballad “Blue Eyed Boston Boy” that has become a bluegrass favorite. There’s a great Parmley original “She Keeps Hangin’ On,” a cover of John Denver’s “Darcy Farrow,” and a couple great a-capella gospel songs. Welcome to Virginia turned a lot of heads when it was first released, including Lester Flatt’s, whose famous quote about the band stated enthusiastically: “Those boys don’t do nothing but sing!”
9. Mountain Girl
(1996)
Track Pick: Grain of Sand
Don’s new band to a big leap from My Kinda Grass. Their next record, Mountain Girl contains some great songs, and continued the reputation
of solid instrumentation, strong harmonies, and great gosel performances that the
Cardinals were known for. The title track is fun, and some great standout
tracks include “She’s Gone Too Far,” “Grain of Sand,” and “Never See Mommy and
Daddy Again.” Don announced his retirement from the music business the
following year, thus ending an incredible recording career from a group that
had always recruited talents to the bluegrass realm. It’s good to see Don and
his ensemble ending with a bang.
8. New and Old Favorites (1990)
Track Pick: The Girl I Love Don’t Pay Me No Mind
In 1990, the Parmleys did what many bluegrass bands hardly do. Frustrated with how past record companies handled the distribution of their music, the Bluegrass Cardinals went independent. Don created BGC Records and never went back. Original band member Randy Graham returned after a hiatus and recorded this one with them. Despite the title, all songs here were recorded for the first time by the band and released in 1990. The sound is straight-forward, hard-driving bluegrass, and it sounds like the group had a great time coming together and playing their favorite tunes just for fun, the way Randy, Don and David did when they first started singing together. Highlights include "Girl I Love Don't Pay Me No Mind" and "Cold Winds."
7. Home is Where the Heart Is (1984)
Track Pick: Rebel’s Last Request
After the slower batch of Randall Hylton ballads on Cardinal Class, The Bluegrass Cardinals
returned to the formula of their first record: play straightforward traditional
bluegrass songs with incredible harmonies. It’s interesting to compare this to
their first record to see how far the group had come at this point. There are
still Hylton songs here (“Be Good to My Little Baby Girl”) and an incredible
song penned by Carl Jackson (Rebel’s Last Request). The Sugar Hill Years
featured some of the group’s best work, and Home
is Where the Heart Is remains a powerful record in their discography.
6. Cardinal Class (1983)
Track Pick: Country Poor and Country Proud
God bless the day Randall Hylton met the Parmleys. His songs are such a valuable tribute to the discography of The Bluegrass Cardinals, and this album contains five of them, most notably “Country Poor and Country Proud,” and “I’ve Heard the Wind Blow.” After the awkward reverb-heavy production of their CMH recordings, the pristine acoustic-based production of Cardinal Class is stunning and refreshing. All these elements make this record absolutely essential to fans of The Bluegrass Cardinals.
5. The Shining Path (1986)
Track Pick: Just Let Me Fall
After the success of their first all-gospel record, the
Bluegrass Cardinals decided to give it another go. As always, vocals are the
group’s forte, and they really shine on gospel songs. Larry Stephenson’s
powerful tenor and Dale Perry’s strong bass vocals really round out the quartet
numbers on this record. Highlights include “Just Let Me Fall” and “Live Beyond
the Grave.”
4. Where Rainbows Touch Down (1981)
Track Pick: Jubilee Road
Hard work got The Bluegrass Cardinals to this point. Their work here seems effortless. They make it look easy, when in reality it’s a lot of talent and strong songs that make this album excellent. Lots of Cardinals standards are here, including the opener “Morristown” and Randall Hylton’s “Lee Berry Rye” and the title track. Norman Wright contributes vocals on “The First Time I Heard About Heaven” and penned “Running Around.” Probably the standout is the excellent Parmley original “I Known It’s Wrong To Love You” in true Hank-Williams-cheating-down-and-out country music goodness. Essential in any fan’s collection..
3. What Have You Done
For Him (1992)
Track Pick: I'm Going That Way
Although releasing records independently gave the band a lot
of creative freedom, it took a big cut in the distribution of their records. As
a result, many fans may not be familiar with the band’s later work, and may be
surprised to see this selection. If going independent was a risk, What Have You Done For Him was the
payoff. For fans that loved Sunday Morning Singin’ and found enjoyment in The
Shining Path, their jaws must have dropped when they first heard this third
gospel album. Beautifully produced and executed, the ensemble returns with the
most impressive vocal arrangements they ever put on record. The gospel quartet
presence throughout the record (see “Great Change” and “Sing and Be Happy”) rivaled
Doyle Lawson’s Quicksilver gospel quartet, and for good reason. Always
benefiting from strong new material, the group found solace in some great gems
by songwriter Mona Ramsey, who contributed “I’ll Be Looking for You,” “Trouble
the Waters” and the title track. Some other great highlights include the Carter
Stanley favorite “Let Me Walk Lord By Your Side,” and songs like “64 Roses” and
“Give Mother My Crown.” What Have You Done For Him is a testament to
the powerful forces behind the band’s sacred material, and is sadly their last
recording to feature the distinctive Cardinals vocals of Randy Graham and David
Parmley.
2. Cardinal Soul (1979)
Track Pick: 32 Acres
Drastic changes in line-up during this time brought drastic
changes in the material and presentation of the band on this recording from
1979. David Parmley and newcomer David Ratcliffe share lead vocals on this
beautiful offering from the band. It’s hard to pick a stand-out track, but it
is no-doubt the Randall Hylton favorite “32 Acres.” He also writes the beautiful
“Mountain Laurel.” Don and David really shine with their two contributions “Blue
is the Color of Lonesome” and “I’ve Had a Time.” Rounding out the record are
plenty of good George Jones songs, like “Don’t Give Up on Me” that the group
adopted as their own. Cardinal Soul
is the group’s best secular work and truly a joy to treasure.
1. Sunday Mornin' Singin’ (1980)
Track Pick: Carpenter of Wood
One hundred years from now, if the Parmleys are remembered
at all, it will be written in the history books that they were a footnote in
music history, noted mostly for their harmonies and gospel quartet songs.
Simply put, if you had to choose one record to define and showcase the work of
Don, David and the Bluegrass Cardinals, you would proudly present a vinyl copy
of Sunday Mornin’ Singin’. Everything
works perfectly here. The vocals ring like a bell and there are a multitude of
memorable songs, with a capella (He is Near), ballad (Carpenter of Wood and
From Cradle to Cross to Crown) to soulful bluegrass (Angel Rock Me to Sleep and
Just a Little Talk With Jesus). Whether you are religious or not, Sunday Mornin’ Singin’ is definitely a
musical treat and sincerely the must definitive record ever released by Don,
David and the Bluegrass Cardinals.
For live recordings from the Bluegrass Cardinals, check out "Live and On Stage," "On Stage in Nashville," "Live from Tennessee Mountain Bluegrass Festival." Also check out David Parmley's albums.
For live recordings from the Bluegrass Cardinals, check out "Live and On Stage," "On Stage in Nashville," "Live from Tennessee Mountain Bluegrass Festival." Also check out David Parmley's albums.
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