Hillbilly Gypsies roam with old-time folk jams

By Dennis Fallon

For the CDT

Hailing from Morgantown, W.Va., the home of pepperoni rolls and couches burning in the streets, come the foot-stomping sounds of the Hillbilly Gypsies. On the band's latest album, "Come on In," these mountain folks continue to do what they do best: deliver bushels of old-timey tunes, Appalachian folk and danceable, good time bluegrass.

Combining banjo, fiddle, guitar and standup bass, the Gypsies sing traditional bluegrass tunes with youthful vigor and spunk as well as the occasional original tune. Like a hoedown on compact disc, "Come On In" is an infectious collection of backwoods American history -- songs of heartbreak, good home cooking and a love of nature.

Singer Jamie Lynn Buckner adds a feminine touch, her voice reminiscent of Loretta Lynn circa "Coal Miner's Daughter." Along with the boys of the band (whom also sing), the Hillbilly Gypsies craft masterful harmonies.

The album opens with the title track, a "Beverly Hillbillies"-inspired invitation to join these gypsies for their backyard jam. "Keep Your Skillet Good and Greasy" is a song of chickens and bloodhounds; "Bring Me a Rose" is the album's rare ballad, a beautiful desire for love during life, not after death.

"Come On In" is a treat from start to finish. With it, the Hillbilly Gypsies start a barn party that never slows down. Though most of the songs are decades old, this young band plays with technical wizardry, passion, energy and a good sense of humor, giving these old gems an original shine.

Fans of bands such as The Old Crow Medicine Show and other old-time revival acts can rejoice -- the mountains of West Virginia have given birth to the new standard-bearers of this time-honored sound. Let's hope these gypsies stay around for a long, long time.