Reviewed by Tony May

An old time acappella quartet in the white, rural, deep south tradition. The Chestnuts started out as vocalists with a stringband group, graduating through popular acclaim to their own performances and recordings via the popular Chestnut Valley radio show. Their influences were Appalachian mountain music, shape note singing and of course the sound of the black workers in the fields. Understand clearly that this is no superfine, polished warbling of the Take 6 or Glad style. This is rough-hewn, homely, loose, often with an improvised feel, and occasionally inaccurate. However, in terms of atmosphere and communication this scores heavily. Obscure, authentic songs and an absorbing listen.

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