I first saw The Onlies at the Berkeley Old-Time Music Convention when they were still in high school and living in Seattle. Since then Vivian Leva joined them on guitar and vocals, and I saw that version of the band, which is the one on this recording, at the CROMA festival in Colorado in 2018. I first saw Vivian when she was an infant on the stage of the Strawberry Festival while her parents, James Leva and Carol Elizabeth Jones, were performing. The other Onlies are Sami Braman, Riley Calgagno, and Leo Shannon. Nokosee Fields joins them on bass on most of the tracks, and on autoharp on “Pretty Little Miss.” Alice Gerrard joins them to sing on “Cluck Old Hen.”

The Onlies, who are in their 20th year as a band, have won first place in the band contest at Clifftop and currently are artistic directors of the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, Washington. This recording features both their blazing chops and their ability to select great tunes and songs.

The title cut is the first track. It comes from Gaither Carlton, who was Doc Watson’s father-in-law. The A part is a lot like “Shelvin’ Rock,” as played by French Carpenter and Wilson Douglas, though I don’t think either of them played this fast. Leo and Sami are on fiddle, and Riley is on banjo.

Next comes a Carter Family song, “Gold Watch and Chain,” which is medleyed with Greg Canote’s “Old Man Gone.” Leo sings lead with Viv on harmony, and he and Sami fiddle again.

They learned “Roll on Buddy” from Aunt Molly Jackson, though the original source was Charlie Bowman’s 1924 recording with the Hill Billies (recorded as Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters). Viv sings lead while Leo, Riley, and Sami sing harmony. Leo also plays electric guitar.

Bruce Greene recorded “Pretty Little Miss” from the singing of Karen Collins who learned it from her grandmother. Sami sings lead and plays banjo and harmonium. Viv sings harmony. Leo plays mandolin, and Riley plays guitar.

“Hook and Line” is from Kentucky banjo players Morgan and Lee Sexton, with the same personnel as the first track.

“Waves on the Sea” is another Carter Family song which the band got from the Johnson Mountain Boys. Riley sings lead and plays banjo, again with the same configuration as the first track. Viv sings a soaring harmony.

“I Will Arise” is from Kilby Snow with Riley on guitar rather than banjo. Leo sings lead, and Sami sings harmony and fiddles.

This version of “Cumberland Gap” was learned from Travis Stuart with Riley and Sami on fiddle and Leo on banjo.

“Loving Hannah” is an Irish ballad that they heard Rossagh and John Doyle sing. Viv sings lead, Leo sings harmony and plays guitar. Sami fiddles, and Riley is on banjo.

“Spectacle Lake” is an original tune written and fiddled by Sami, who was inspired by a mountain trip. Riley joins her on fiddle and also plays 3-finger banjo. Leo plays clawhammer.

“I Ne’er Shall Ween Her/Páudun Ó Raifeartaigh” is a set of Irish jigs with the same personnel as the first track.

Leo learned the Irish drinking song “Keg of Brandy” from Liz Hanley. It is also a tale of long lost love and a traditional song rewritten by Robbie O’Connell. Leo sings lead and plays banjo with Sami on fiddle and Riley on mandolin.

This version of “Cluck Old Hen” comes from the late Jeff Goehring, who credited it to Ed Weaver and Pug Allen. As noted above, Alice Gerrard sings the verses. Again the instruments are as on the first track.

“Matty Groves” is a traditional English song based on Doc Watson’s recording. Leo sings lead and plays guitar, Sami fiddles, and Riley banjoes. Viv sings harmony.

“Moonlight Song” is about love and romance and comes from the late Blaze Foley. Viv sings lead with Sami on harmony and guitar. Leo fiddles, and Riley plays electric guitar.

This is a very well-put-together recording which enables the band to display a very wide range of talents on excellent material. You can pre-order it here. It is scheduled to be released on September 19, 2025.