Seldom Scene – Remains to Be Scene (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2025)
Seldom Scene, a pioneering force in progressive bluegrass since 1971, returns with Remains to Be Scene, released earlier this month on Smithsonian Folkways. Known for their grand genre-blurring approach, the band continues its tradition of reinterpreting classy songs from rock, country, and folk alongside bluegrass staples.
The album features lovely and memorable versions of Jim Croce’s “A Good Time Man Like Me Ain’t Got No Business (Singin’ the Blues)”; Bob Dylan’s “Walking Down the Line” and “Farewell Angelina”; and The Kinks’ “Last of the Steam-Powered Trains.” It also revisits the band’s classic “White Line” and pays homage to Flatt & Scruggs with “Hard Travelin’.”
Remains to Be Scene was produced by the band and engineered by Jim Robeson at The Bar in Rockville, Maryland. Sadly, the album marks a turning point for The Seldom Scene. It is the first album released since the passing of co-founder Ben Eldridge, who contributed liner notes before his death in April 2024. Additionally, it serves as the final recording for longtime guitarist and vocalist Dudley Connell, who retires after 29 years with the band.
Track notes:
Last Of the Steam-Powered Trains
This song was written by Ray Douglas Davies and recorded by the rock group The Kinks in the 1960s. The Scene has always looked outside the box for material, and we thought this one fit the bill. (Lou)
Man At the Crossroads
I have known of this song a long time. It was written by my friend and neighbor singer/songwriter David Norris, and I have always wanted to record it. Thanks to my boys in The Scene for allowing me that opportunity! (Fred)
A Good Time Man Like Me Ain’t Got No Business (Singin’ the Blues)
This song, written by the great Jim Croce, was all over the radio when I was a young teen. I loved the song but never envisioned myself singing it. With Lou’s encouragement, I decided to give it a try. My goal in approaching the vocal was to add as much of myself as possible, while at the same time not deviating too far from the original melody. (Dudley)
Hard Travelin
This song comes from a Flatt and Scruggs album of the same title, circa 1963. Written by Woody Guthrie, the song was first recorded in 1947. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Flatt and Scruggs, and this is one of my favorites from the early 1960s when they were still plowing bluegrass but using material from a broad range of writers. (Ron)
Farewell, Angelina
This song, written in 1964, is another gem by Bob Dylan. Our arrangement is based off John Mellencamp’s version; and in addition to the fiddle, Ron’s talent on guitar is showcased. I must credit my daughter, Megan, for insisting we record this one. I’m glad we listened! (Ronnie)
Walking Down the Line
This is a Bob Dylan song written in 1962 and recorded by The Dillards. The Country Gentlemen made it famous in the bluegrass genre; and others such as Joan Baez, Glen Campbell, Arlo Guthrie, and Pete Seeger have recorded this as well. Thanks to Ron for bringing this one to our attention. (Lou)
Lonesome Day
When we were gathering material for this recording, Lou presented this song written by Bobby Love. He thought it would be a good one for me to sing—thank you, Lou. (Fred)
I Could Cry
This song was written by Don Reno and recorded by the bluegrass group Don Reno, Red Smiley, and the Tennessee Cut-Ups on King Records in 1953. Reno and Smiley were my mom and dad’s favorite bluegrass band, so I was honored to sing this. I might add The Seldom Scene doesn’t perform many duets, so it was fun recording this as a duet with Fred. (Dudley)
White Line
This song, written by Canadian Willie P. Bennet, was sung by original member John Starling and recorded on The Scene’s Live at the Cellar Door album. I would like to thank Paul Beard for loaning me the 1935 Regal/Dobro #401 guitar to use on this song. It’s the same one Mike Auldridge played on The Scene’s original version in 1974. (Fred)
Show Me the Way to Go Home
Lou brought this one to the table and suggested we record it. It’s written by Cullen Galyean from Low Gap, North Carolina, who has recorded several albums for Folkways. We decided to sing as a quartet on the choruses. (Ronnie)
The Story of My Life
During the 1980s, I toured with a bluegrass band, The Johnson Mountain Boys, and we used to perform this one with Eddie Stubbs singing a solo lead. The song was written by Wayne Walker and recorded by Benny Martin. I’d forgotten all about this song until Ron brought it to the band from a live recording by the JMB. (Dudley)
Musicians: Dudley Connell on vocals, guitar; Lou Reid on vocals, mandolin, guitar; Ronnie Simpkins on vocals, bass; Ron Stewart on vocals, banjo, fiddle, guitar; Fred Travers on vocals, dobro.
Buy Remains to Be Scene.
Author: Ryan Emmert
