Alan Munde - Festival Favorites Southwest Sessions

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Album Review: Festival Favorites Southwest Sessions by Alan Munde Released in 1983 under Ridge Runner Records, Festival Favorites Southwest Sessions is a treasure trove of bluegrass and instrumental folk brilliance. Alan Munde, a master of the 5-string banjo, leads this vibrant collection with help from The Southwest Society Of String Sizzlers—a group that brings an unmistakable energy to every track. This album isn’t just another entry in the genre; it’s a testament to tight musicianship and heartfelt storytelling through sound. One standout track is “Baker’s Breakdown,” which kicks things off with an electrifying flurry of banjo rolls courtesy of Munde. It’s one of those tunes where you can almost picture the live festival crowd stomping their feet and hollering for more. What makes it unforgettable? Texas Shorty Jim Chancellor’s fiddle work weaves seamlessly into the mix, adding layers of fire and finesse. There’s something raw yet polished about the interplay between instruments here—it feels like catching lightning in a bottle but making it look effortless. Another gem is “Dusty Miller.” Here, Bob French steps up as both rhythm guitarist and soloist on track B5, delivering a performance that strikes a perfect balance between technical prowess and soulful expression. His mandolin-like precision on the banjo adds a unique flavor to the tune, while Roland White’s guitar keeps everything grounded. These guys clearly had fun jamming together, and that joy translates directly to the listener. You don’t just hear “Dusty Miller”; you feel it. The production quality deserves mention too. Engineers John Carey, Paul Motter, and Slim Richey (who also co-produced) did justice to the acoustic nature of these performances. Each pluck, strum, and bow stroke comes through crystal clear without losing its earthy roots. And let’s not forget Mike Anderson’s basslines—they’re subtle but essential, anchoring the whole ensemble like glue. It’s worth noting how timeless this record feels despite being nearly four decades old. Tracks like “Turkey In The Straw” and “Oh Suzanna” remind us why traditional songs endure—they tap into universal emotions and experiences. Yet, even amidst familiar melodies, there’s plenty of innovation thanks to Munde and company’s creative arrangements. Reflecting on Festival Favorites Southwest Sessions, I’m struck by how much personality shines through each track. It doesn’t try too hard to impress—it simply lets the music speak for itself. That said, if you listen closely enough, you might catch yourself wondering whether some of these players were racing each other during solos—or maybe they were just having so much fun they forgot anyone was listening at all. Either way, it works. In today’s world of overproduced tracks and auto-tuned vocals, albums like this serve as a refreshing reminder of what real music sounds like—warts, heartbeats, and all.

Download Alan Munde - Festival Favorites Southwest Sessions
Artist: Alan Munde
Album: Festival Favorites Southwest Sessions
Rating: 3.0

Table of Contents

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Filename: alan-munde-festival-favorites-southwest-sessions.zip
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Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Charmaine3:03
Earl's Breakdown2:55
Molly Bloom3:07
Baker's Breakdown2:02
Dixie Hoedown2:32
Oh Suzanna1:52
Dusty Miller2:47
Turkey In The Straw2:25
Bill Cheatem2:28
Roanoke2:15
Little Rock Getaway2:40
Pike County Breakdown2:12

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Catalog Numbers

RRR0032, RRR-0032

Labels

Ridge Runner

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Formats

  • Vinyl
  • LP
  • Album

Companies

RoleCompany
Distributed ByRichey Records
Copyright (c)Ridge Runner Records
Phonographic Copyright (p)Ridge Runner Records
Recorded AtCrystal Clear Sound

Credits

RoleCredit
5-String BanjoAlan Munde
Acoustic BassMike Anderson
BandThe Southwest Society Of String Sizzlers
BanjoBob French (tracks: B5)
SoloistBob French (tracks: B5)
EngineerJohn Carey , Paul Motter, Slim Richey
FiddleTexas Shorty Jim Chancellor (tracks: A1 to A5, B1 to B5), Robert Bowlin (tracks: A6, B6)
GuitarMark Land (tracks: A4, A5), Robert Bowlin (tracks: B2 to B4)
MandolinBob Clark (tracks: A5, A6)
ProducerSlim Richey
Rhythm GuitarBob French (tracks: A1 to B4), Roland White (tracks: B5, B6)

Notes

  • Recorded at Crystal Clear Sound, Dallas, Texas
  • Tracks A2, B2 & B4 are in the public domain.
  • The catalog number is printed as RRR0032 on the spine.
  • The catalog number is printed as RRR-0032 on the front & back covers and labels.

About Alan Munde

Alan Munde born November 4, 1946 in Norman, Oklahoma is a well-known five-string banjo player and bluegrass musician. From Norman, Oklahoma. Lives in Wimberley, Texas (near Austin). 1969, began playing banjo professionally at age 22 with 16-year-old Sam Bush in a band called Poor Richards Almanac. 1970, joined Jimmy Martin and The Sunny Mountain Boys. 1972, moved to Los Angeles and with Byron Berline, Roger Bush and Kenny Wertz, formed The Country Gazette, a band that he would lead in one form or another for the next 30 years. During this time he also performed with The Flying Burrito Brothers. 1976, released first solo album Banjo Sandwich (Ridge Runner). 1980, released The Banjo Kid Picks Again album (Ridge Runner). 1980-1985, released several Festival Favorites albums (Ridge Runner). 1986-2007, taught bluegrass music at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. He has also written and recorded dozens of banjo instruction books, recordings and videos. 1994, formed a duo with former Country Gazette member Joe Carr (guitar, mandolin) performing what they called Border Bluegrass, a mix of bluegrass with Tex-Mex influences. They released several albums for Flying Fish Records. 1994, released Blue Ridge Express album (Rounder). 2004, formed The Alan Munde Gazette and released a self-titled album (no label). 2006, was elected to the board of the IBMA. 2007, released Old Bones album (Mundes Child) featuring earlier recordings never-before released. 2008, received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the IBMA (with Joe Carr). 2009, performed and recorded with an Austin-based band The Two High String Band. 2014, released an album of duets with mandolinist Billy Bright called Bright Munde (Mundes Child). 2018, released Es Mi Suerte album (Mundes Child) with mandolinist Billy Bright.

Real Name

    • Alan Munde

Name Vars

  • A. Munde
  • A.Munde
  • A.Munder
  • Alan
  • Alan Munde (The White Brothers)
  • Munde

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? The album *Festival Favorites Southwest Sessions* by Alan Munde is a hidden gem in the bluegrass world. Released in 1983, it features an all-star lineup of musicians, including Texas Shorty Jim Chancellor on fiddle, who played nearly every track. Bob French pulled double duty, handling both rhythm guitar and banjo. And let’s not forget Roland White, who added his mandolin magic to the mix. It’s like a bluegrass family reunion captured on record!