AG Sessions Presents Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum: A Tribute to Hazel Dickens

In this special edition of Acoustic Guitar Sessions, bluegrass guitarist Laurie Lewis and mandolinist Tom Rozum perform the Carter Family classic “Who’s That Knocking ?” and “Won’t You Come and Sing for Me?”, two songs from Lewis’ stunning tribute to Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard. Lewis—sometimes solo, sometimes with Rozum, and at other times with the rest of the Right Hands—is touring in support of the album. Meanwhile, here is a review of the album from the April 2016 issue.]

Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands
The Hazel and Alice Sessions (Spruce & Maple Music)

With treetop-shaking harmonies and a vibrant “take no guff” attitude, singer and bassist Hazel Dickens and guitarist Alice Gerrard revitalized1960s bluegrass while setting the male-dominated establishment on its ear. Laurie Lewis, who gave the scene a similar shake-up in the 1970s, pays tribute to the pair with The Hazel and Alice Sessions. It’s the perfect fit of interpreter and inspiration.

Lewis, who had collaborated with Dickens before that legends death and, more recently,with Gerrard—she produced Gerrard’s 2013 solo album Bittersweet. Lewis has a bone-deep grasp of her subjects, giving these homespun, hand-crafted tunes the juice they deserve. Gerrard guests on the sassy, matter-of-fact duet with Lewis “Working Girl Blues,” on which the pair ascend a cowboy-styled yip-and-yodel over the percussive, slashing strumming of Lewis’ Martin dreadnought. Right Hand band mates Tom Rozum and Patrick Sauber on guitars set the stage on “Let the Liar Alone,” with Rozum’s Gibson unfurling a shack-shaking chug under the coiling fingerpicked filigree of Sauber’s Martin.

Balancing the whirligig two-step “You’ll Get No More of Me,” on which Stauber’s picking snakes under keening harmonies close as a shiny straight razor, is the sighing “Mama’s Gonna Stay,” with Rozum’s silken mandolin entwining with tumbling, liquid guitar.

Culminating in the unadorned “Pretty Bird,” Lewis’ soaring a cappella duet with Linda Ronstadt, The Hazel and Alice Sessions is feisty and affectionate, cutting closer to the defiance and fun at the heart of these songs than any misplaced reverence ever could.

[bjbluhm]

I like seeing and hearing the Elders of our music business. Now that I too have become an Elder and still performing Laurie Lewis gives me inspiration. I was in the first All Women's Music Festival in San Francisco in 1970 along with a roster of wonderful women musicians including Malvina Reynolds who was already an Elder! I was thrilled to meet and talk to her. Thank you Laurie and Tom for this delightful performance!

[alfrede.neuman]

I knew of Tom Rozum when we lived in Tucson AZ. He played in Summer Dog. I know he’s been having health issues. I hope he’s as well as can be.

[timothypeters]

Note the close communication between the two - as musicians - I have watched this 7 or 8 times. It is exquisite.

[bigmon]

Tom Rozum is a seriously underrated musician. He and Laurie together are pure gold.

[gregd.]

Wow! It's GREAT. Thank you, all...

[EricRayMusic]

I am definitely pressing the like button right now!

[ulrichfriehe]

Beautiful tones from the Gilchrist mandolin.

[thomastommy]

Hi, You have a great sound. I never heard you before. But I sure do love what I am hearing. Where can I find your CDs? Where are you from? Thanks for the great tunes, Tommy