Buddy Greene may be known to some as the writer of “Recovering Pharisee”, recorded by the Del McCoury Band on Del & The Boys, but the multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter has been a steady presence on the gospel scene for years. As his latest solo effort shows, he deserves to be more widely known.
Rufus — Greene’s middle name — features a fine assortment of friends ranging from keyboard legend Chuck Leavell to gospel singer Ashley Cleveland to Union Station banjo player Ron Block, plus bassist Byron House, percussionist Kenny Malone and Greene’s frequent touring partner, Kenny Meeks. Greene blows some dandy harmonica, especially on fiddle tunes such as “Sally Goodin” and “Cluck Ol’ Hen”. He plays solid rhythm guitar and offers pleasant, convincing vocals on numbers ranging from old-time country and blues songs to Porter Wagoner’s “Highway Heading South”, the Beatles’ “All My Loving” and Meeks’ gospel meditation “One Way Avenue”.
This isn’t an album that grabs you by the throat and demands your attention, though there are plenty of lively moments here. Instead, it’s a warm, relaxed session that gives the impression Greene and his friends are not only inspired musicians, but just plain good folks.