Real Time

1	Walk Beside Me / Darrell Scott 4:13
2	With A Memory Like Mine / Darrell Scott 4:11
3	Weary Blues from Waiting / Darrell Scott 3:18
4	A House of Gold / Darrell Scott 2:13
5	More Love / Darrell Scott 4:05
6	There Ain't No Easy Way / Darrell Scott 4:28
7	Little Sadie / Darrell Scott 3:00
8	Helen Of Troy, Pennsylvania / Darrell Scott 4:16
9	Five Rooms / Darrell Scott 4:06
10	Long Time Gone / Darrell Scott 3:36
11	I'm Not Gonna Forget You / Darrell Scott 4:41
12	Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burnin' / Darrell Scott 4:15
13	The Second Mouse / Darrell Scott 4:38

Barnes & Noble

This is how good it can sound when two master craftsmen combine their talents. REAL TIME finds bluegrass/newgrass stalwart Tim O'Brien continuing his collaboration with bandmate and songwriting partner Darrell Scott, the ace Nashville sideman more often heard backing Martina McBride, Deana Carter, Guy Clark, and Randy Travis. The result is a collection that's neither strictly bluegrass nor country but that will excite fans from each side of that Americana divide. O'Brien and Scott's songwriting reputation -- built on songs for the likes of Garth Brooks -- is confirmed by tracks like Scott's soulful workingman country blues, "There Ain't No Easy Way" and O'Brien's hopeful and bittersweet take on love and friendship, "I'm Not Gonna Forget You." The two team up for a pair of Hank Williams covers, including an inspired take on "House of Gold," complete with a gospel-style call and response. They close the 13-cut set with an improvised rave-up featuring their instrumental prowess: "The Second Mouse" brings in bluegrass, country, blues, rock, soul -- and a toy trombone. True to its name, REAL TIME was recorded live over just a few days in Scott's living room. The resulting album testifies to the musical harmony of the pair. Kerry Dexter

All Music Guide

Music has occasionally been born of a couple of friends playing both new and familiar songs in a relaxed setting. Words that are often used to describe the music they make are "natural" or "unaffected." Examples would include John Hartford's Morning Bugle, Hartford, David Grisman, and Mike Seeger's Retrograss, and Tim O'Brien and Darrell Scott's Real Time. The songs on Real Time were recorded in Scott's living room over the period of a week. Both musicians play multiple instruments including banjo, mandolin, guitar, and bouzouki; they also exchange lead vocals and sing some very fine harmony. Both the song choice and songwriting add to this project. Hank Williams'"Weary Blues from Waiting" receives an acoustic revision, with both singers sharing lead vocals and providing affecting harmony. O'Brien sings a charged version of "Little Sadie" driven by Scott's aggressive guitar playing. Part of the beauty of this album is how fresh and vital these traditional songs become with these simple and straightforward arrangements. Real Time also contains a handful of refined originals, including O'Brien's "Walk Beside Me" and "I'm Not Gonna Forget You." Scott has written the impressive "There Ain't No Easy Way," complete with the same soulful singing found on his last release, Family Tree. There are even moments when Scott's vocal style reminds one of the soulful delivery of Little Feat's Lowell George. Real Time brings together two artists who love to make music and who give the impression that making good music is as simple as hanging out with friends. While this may not be how all good music is made, it has produced a gem of an album in the hands of Scott and O'Brien. Fans of both artists, and fans of good traditional and folk music, should enjoy this one. ~ Ronnie Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide