Album Profile
Lou Reid and Carolina
Time
PRODUCTION NOTES
The album Time, released in 2005 on Lonesome Day Records, marks a standout chapter for Lou Reid & Carolina, blending the band’s deep-rooted bluegrass heritage with refined production values and notable guest contributions. Produced by Randall Deaton at Lonesome Day Studio in Booneville, Kentucky, the project delivers a warm, crisp acoustic sound that balances traditional high-lonesome textures with subtle contemporary polish—clear separation of instruments, tight ensemble playing, and emotive vocal mixes that let the harmonies shine without overpowering the storytelling.
At the heart of the 13-track, roughly 44-minute album is the title track “Time” (3:22), a reflective meditation on life’s transience, regret, and the value of moments. This song gained particular acclaim, reaching #1 on Bluegrass Unlimited’s chart and featuring stunning guest harmonies from Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs alongside Lou Reid’s lead vocals. Their contributions add layers of rich, soaring tenor and baritone depth, elevating the track’s emotional resonance and underscoring Reid’s connections within the bluegrass and country worlds (from his time with The Seldom Scene, Ricky Skaggs, and Vince Gill’s bands). Other high-profile guests, including Jerry Douglas on Dobro, further enhance select cuts with tasteful, understated fills that complement rather than dominate the core band sound.
The core lineup of Lou Reid & Carolina handles the bulk of instrumentation and vocals with precision: Lou Reid on guitar and lead vocals, supported by band members delivering expert mandolin, fiddle, banjo, bass, and harmony work—creating seamless, driving grooves on upbeat numbers and tender support on ballads. Standouts include the poignant opener “My Dying Day” (3:35), the melancholic “Brighter Shade of Blue” (2:29), the lively “Forever Ain’t No Trouble Now” (3:33), and the scenic “Tennessee Backroads” (2:56), all showcasing the production’s focus on organic flow, dynamic builds, and authentic bluegrass energy.
Time stands as a mature, cohesive statement from the band, emphasizing heartfelt original material, impeccable musicianship, and strategic guest spots that amplify its themes of legacy, love, and the passage of years. The clean yet soulful production helps it endure as a highlight in the Lonesome Day catalog, appealing to fans of classic and progressive bluegrass alike.
TRACK LISTINGS
1. My Dying Day
2. Brighter Shade of Blue
3. Time
4. Forever Ain't No Trouble Now
5. Tennessee Backroads
6. The Mountain Way
7. The Whole World (In His Hands)
8. Carolina Morning Memory
9. Before Your First Tear Falls
10. Cold Virginia Rain
11. I Know the Way to You by Heart
12. Rollin' Thunder
13. Heaven's Bright Shore
STREAM/PURCHASE
SOUND CLIPS
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