It’s Just Me is pure unadulterated Larry Sparks with his 1954 Martin D-28 leaping from the speakers in the comfort of your own living room. Well, there’s also a little understated bass or rhythm guitar laid into the mix by Sparks’ son, Larry “Dee” Sparks, on this project that was recorded in Larry’s own home studio. It’s Just Me is the 18^th album from the southern Ohio native who now makes him home in Greensburg, Indiana. Larry Sparks began singing and playing bluegrass when he was just five, learning guitar from his sister Bernice. His first professional job, in 1964 at age 18, was as the guitarist with The Stanley Brothers, replacing George Shuffler. After Carter Stanley died in December 1966, Sparks took over the lead singing duties. In 1969, Sparks formed his band The Lonesome Ramblers.

Sparks’ 2004 album 40 celebrating his four decades in the music business won IBMA Awards for Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year. In 2004 and 2005, Sparks also won the IBMA Award for Male Vocalist of the Year. In 2014, his Lonesome & Then Some album celebrated a half century in bluegrass music, and Sparks was inducted into the IBMA’s Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.   

It's Just Me was produced with a vision of just letting guitar and voice be the sole soulful focus to emphasize songs’ feelings, emotions and messages. While I could certainly argue for more of a brother duet sound (with some mandolin/fiddle and tenor vocal harmonies), this rawboned approach had been requested by many of Sparks’ fans. Warm, intimate, thoughtful songs deal with cherished loved ones, love denied, faith, and a simpler way of life. Country classics from the repertoires of Lefty Frizzell (“Mom and Dad’s Waltz”) and George Jones (“She Thinks I Still Care”) are sure crowd-pleasers. “She Thinks I Still Care” even got me singing right along, and I’ve heard Sparks sing “Don’t Neglect the Rose” and “Great High Mountain” on previous releases in full bluegrass band arrangements.  

Contemporary songs came from writers including Marshal Warwick, Wyatt McCubbin, Daniel Crabtree and Gerald Ellenburg / Shawn Lane. Warwick wrote “Bring ‘Em on Back” and “Long Way to Denver.” McCubbin, a deejay in Xenia, Ohio, wrote “Sweetheart” a few years ago, specifically with Sparks in mind to sing this touching song. Ellenburg and Lane penned the lyrics about a simpler life in “Mama’s Apron Strings.” Crabtree penned the beautiful gospel number and album closer, “The Scarlet Red Lines,” in which Sparks explains how those words written by Jesus and a heart filled with devotion will get you through hard times.      

As Larry Sparks approaches 2024, his 60^th year in bluegrass music, you can bet he’s already working on an album to celebrate that occasion. Perhaps at some point, he’ll still record that album I’d like to hear, a guitar and mandolin brother duet approach with a mix of his classics and new contemporary material. He has a ton of great songs in his repertoire but some choices might be “Bitterweeds,” “Loving You Too Well,” “Journey to the Light,” “Just Lovin’ You,” and “Letter from My Darling.” In the meantime, relax in your easy chair and listen to a true bluegrass master do what he does best - play guitar and evocatively sing from his heart to yours. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)