Playing Time – 37:53 -- At first, I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive about whether 38 minutes of guitar, resophonic (or lap or slide) guitar, and solo singing would sufficiently grab my attention. However, in recent years, I’ve noticed a slight trend towards more minimalist acoustic recordings. Many listeners appreciate a leaner, cleaner approach, and Ferguson and Barber can put out a lot of sound between them. Ferguson sings and lays down some solid rhythm guitar, while Barber provides some tasty accompaniment and breaks. So, the key here for maximum enjoyment is to focus on the songs’ messages, the wailing instrumental fills, and the musical interaction of these two expert pickers. Junior and Gary met in Montana a few years back and decided to do an occasional show together. Then they decided to do a duet, book some concerts and record this CD as a “fun little project” to present the music exactly as it would be heard on stage. Junior Barber, from Plattsburgh, New York, may be best known as the resonator guitarist for the Gibson Brothers. He’s also recorded two solo albums, and in 2002, he played dates with Gary Ferguson and Sally Love. Barber garnered nominations for IBMA Dobro Player of the Year. Gary Ferguson hails from Maryland and currently makes his home in Littlestown, PA. In the early and mid-90s, he fronted The Gary Ferguson Band. Ferguson is the only songwriter to be a five-time finalist at Merlefest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. That’s why I make special note of Ferguson’s five originals on this project which is a good showcase for his exceptional songwriting talent. “Kentucky Boy” tells of a lonely country musician who can’t forget his home in Harlan despite the bright lights he’s found on stage in the big city. In the ballad, “Here I Go Again,” Ferguson points out that lovesickness can make us do funny and foolish things. A traveling song, “Wheels Rollin’ Round,” is the perfect medium for Junior Barber’s Superior Hawaiian lap guitar licks. A fast-moving and bluesy “That’s Alright, That’s OK” takes an upbeat approach to a lost personal attachment. This album closes with Ferguson’s hit, “Last Day at Gettysburg” that was recorded in 1997 by Larry Sparks and spent a year on the bluegrass chart. That song also brought Ferguson nominations from SPBGMA for Songwriter and Song of the Year in 1998. Other songs on this album were written by Guy Clark and Rodney Crowell (the title cut), Scott Miller (“Dear Sarah”), Billy Yates and Mike Curtis (“Choices”), and others. It’s nice to hear Ferguson and Barber serve up the bouncy traditional "I've Been All Around This World." The album includes two instrumentals, and the guys chose different instruments for each. "Chicken Feet" features Gary’s small-sized Tacoma Papoose guitar, with Junior’s Superior Hawaiian lap guitar. Kitty Wells' "I'll Be All Smiles Tonight" has Gary playing his 1965 Gibson J-50, while Junior is on his Paul Beard resophonic guitar. For some fluid playing and passionate solo singing, Ferguson and Barber certainly don’t disappoint. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)