Hills of Home

Originally issued in 1969, is a tribute to . "Let me rest on a peaceful mountain," sing the as 's more well-known brother delivers a eulogy to his late brother and bandmate. Through a spoken passage, speaks directly to his brother, explaining that the band is carrying on his memory and his wishes by continuing to play his music around the country. By directing his speech to his brother rather than the audience, the sentiment is made even more striking. Although the title song is a somber affair, it is hardly indicative of the rest of the album's largely upbeat tone. Well, as upbeat a can be -- there's always a certain lovely sadness somewhere in the mix. Elsewhere the band gives and lighthearted workouts, while offers stark and beautiful images of leaving trains and broken hearts. The lonesome harmonies of are well executed, but the band performs with such ease that it's easy to underestimate the skill and complexity of the performances being given, both musically and vocally. While not all of the numbers here are as widely known as 's later hits, there's still plenty of material for enthusiasts and novices to sink their teeth into. Everything records is top-notch, and while he fares well on the up-tempo numbers collected on this album, it's no surprise that this "Man of Constant Sorrow" truly shines when lending his quaking voice to the most forlorn numbers, such as with it's weighty refrain, "I'm not living/I only exist/How much longer can I go on like this?" ~ Karen E. Graves