Ramblin' Letters, released in 1981 on the Acoustic Revival label, was recorded February 24, 1981 at Tin Ear Recording Studio in Chicago — with the Lonesome Ramblers lineup of Scott Vestal on banjo, Joe Meadows on fiddle, and Wendell Bartley on tenor vocals, alongside Sparks's lead vocals, guitar, and some mandolin. The title track gives the album its frame: a Sparks original that joined his growing catalog of road and rambling songs. By 1981 Rebel had purchased Sparks's earlier King Bluegrass catalog and was bringing the singer firmly into its working roster; Ramblin' Letters belongs to the transition into the Rebel run that would define the next two decades of his career.
Tracklist
- 1 Diggin' in the ground 2:24
- 2 Ramblin' letters 4:03
- 3 Walking the Dog alt version 2:45
- 4 Cotton Eyed Joe alt version 2:32
- 5 Tragic Romance alt version 2:37
- 6 Drinkin' at the water hole 2:30
- 7 I Wonder How the Old Folks are at Home alt version 2:09
- 8 Your Love is Like a Flower alt version 2:51
- 9 Them Blues alt version 3:07
- 10 I'll get over you someday 2:42
- 11 Revelation 1:57
- 12 I Don’t Care Anymore alt version 2:24