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Bryan Sutton - Ready to Go
SUG-CD-3906
Reviewed by Bryan Kimsey

Seems like we've been waiting a long time for this album. Bryan Sutton first burst into the acoustic guitar world via Ricky Skagg's ultra-hot band where he quickly gained a reputation for smoking hot, extremely fast guitar breaks. I guess that was fine, but fast flashy guitar isn't really where my interests lie and while the rest of the flatpicking world went bananas, I calmly chewed my cud and waited. Over the years, Sutton appeared on other albums and we started to get an inkling of what his playing was like at less than 150 bpm. But still, as a guest on those albums, he usually only got 1 break and I wanted to hear him play.

FGM subscribers have already heard a bit of this album in the opening cut "Decision at Glady Fork". Well, it only gets better after that. There's a soulful "Blue Night" with vocals by Pat Enright. Following is a bouncy version of Monroe's cool "Brown County Breakdown". Good stuff, with multiple solos by Sutton. Boy, he sounds good, too, with a big fat tone at times and a sharp biting one at others. In fact, as I listen to this CD I'm struck by how many tones he can come up with. He's definitely one versatile guitarist. Just contrast the string pulling, fret-slapping solo on "When Love Comes to Town" with the very traditional feel of "Tater Patch" and then toss "Minor Swing" into the mix, and you'll see what I mean.

Not every tune is a hard-driving flatpicked instrumental, either. On "Walk Among The Woods" we hear a softer, swingier Sutton and if anyone has any doubts that he can slow down and play flat-out pretty guitar music, this tune should blow those doubts away. There are 4 vocal tunes here, featuring Jeff White, Pat Enright, the Issacs, and Dolly Parton. Fiddler Aubrey Haynie really shines, especially on the swing tunes and Ricky Skaggs plays some of the best mandolin I've heard from him in a long time.

It's been a long time waiting, but well worth it. Sutton's not "Ready to Go", though. He's already arrived and with this CD has established himself as one first-class flatpicker. If I gave stars in reviews, I'd just give the whole bag of 'em to Sutton for "Ready To Go".


Song List:

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