Things in Life, released in 1972 on Rounder (0014), is Don Stover's first solo album and one of the early entries in the new Rounder label's catalog. The West Virginia banjo player, longtime partner of the Lilly Brothers in Boston's Hillbilly Ranch scene, plays banjo, guitar, and sings, with a pre-Quintet David Grisman on mandolin and mandola, John Hall on fiddle, Dave Dillon on guitar and vocals, Dan Marcus on guitar, and Joe Diviney on bass. The session was cut spring 1972 at Aengus Enterprises in Fayville, Massachusetts. The repertoire mixes Stover originals, reworked fiddle tunes, and family songs, all bridging West Virginia old-time and bluegrass. Things in Life established Stover's identity outside the Lilly Brothers context where he had spent the previous two decades.
Tracklist
- 1 Done Gone alt version 2:52
- 2 Sunbonnet Mother 4:07
- 3 Ole Liza Jane 3:13
- 4 White Oak Breakdown 2:21
- 5 The Old Coon Dog 2:00
- 6 Lonesome Pine Breakdown 2:12
- 7 Valley of Peace Source Recording 3:35
- 8 Black Diamond 4:26
- 9 Old Reuben No. 1 3:06
- 10 Rockwood Deer Chase 2:34
- 11 Long Chain Charlie And Moundsville 2:54
- 12 Little Birdie alt version 1:59
- 13 Things in Life Source Recording 3:07
- 14 Paddy on the Turnpike alt version 2:27