"Long Journey" is a 1991 album by the Dry Branch Fire Squad, the Ohio-based traditional bluegrass band led by mandolinist and emcee Ron Thomason. Released on Rounder Records (CD 0289) and recorded at Sound Space in Yellow Springs, Ohio, the twelve-track set runs about thirty-three minutes and draws heavily on vintage old-time and gospel material — "Rain and Snow," "I've Always Been a Rambler," "Jesus on the Mainline," and "Old Katy Hill" among them — alongside a few contemporary selections. The recording featured Thomason on mandolin, Suzanne Thomas on guitar and banjo, Mary Jo Leet on rhythm guitar, Danny Russell on banjo and slide guitar, and Charlie Leet on bass.
The album is in keeping with the group's reputation for lonesome, archaic-leaning arrangements and close vocal harmony, balancing duets and quartet singing with instrumental features. It drew favorable notices on release; Entertainment Weekly is reported to have rated it highly, though detailed contemporary reviews are limited in the sources consulted here.
Tracklist
- 1 Long Journey 2:56
- 2 Orphan Child 3:13
- 3 Rain and Snow alt version 3:28
- 4 I'd Rather Be The Girl You Left Behind 2:40
- 5 Oak Grove Church 2:49
- 6 I’ve Always Been a Rambler alt version 2:57
- 7 Jesus On The Mainline 2:04
- 8 Saalo's Song 3:23
- 9 Old Katy Hill 2:26
- 10 A House Divided 2:45
- 11 Don't Ever Look Back 3:26
- 12 We Believe In Happy Endings 2:50
