Gary Gordon - Vocals, Guitar, Dobro

Roberta Gordon - Vocals and Autoharp

Robert Bowlin - Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar

Ross Sermons - Standup Bass

Bruce Molsky - Banjo and Fiddle

Tim Carter - Banjo

Mark Stoffel - Mandolin, Fiddle

David Johnson - Fiddle

Noah Gordon - Vocals

Gary plays a Gallagher guitar G-50 and a Roehm Resophonic Guitar.

Roberta plays an Oscar Schmidt Appalachian Autoharp.

Produced by Gary and Roberta Gordon

Recorded and engineered by Gary Gordon at Inside-Out Studio, Sparta, IL .

Mixed and mastered by Gary Gordon.

Graphic design and layout by Wil Maring.

Photography by Kari Abate.

Released on Inside-Out Recordsn Sparta, IL USA.

Bluegrass Unlimited, December 2008

"It's always nice when the look of a CD faithfully represents the music within. In the case of "Our Time" the Gordons (Gary and Roberta), a simple and tasteful picture of the two of them standing back to back, holding guitar and autoharp and looking comfortably well matched, aptly depicts the contents and spirit of the album. Their harmonies are seamless and without pretense, and their song choice covers a nice range of material with one foot in oldtime and one in bluegrass.

Half of the 14 songs they do are originals, and their treatments of traditional ballads, such as "Blackjack Davey" and "Shady Grove," and renditions of more contemporary numbers, such as Si Kahn's "300 Miles From Hazard" and a pair of Norman Blake songs, "Lincoln's Funeral Train" and "Randall Collins," show an unaffected respect for the essence of the songs.

A particularly nice track is a version of Julie Miller's "All My Tears," a song that has gotten a lot of treatment since Emmylou Harris did her excellent version years ago. While many people have tried to emulate her arrangement, the Gordons strip the song down to its core, using simple instrumental support and their quietly passionate voices to give the song fresh new life.

Another standout track is Randy Leiner's "When I Get Over You," a deceptively simple lostlove song that evokes the heartbroken beauty that the best duet singing can express.

The Gordons draw on a nice supporting cast, including multiinstrumentalists Robert Bowlin and Bruce Molsky, along with banjoist Tim Carter. All hands contribute to a recording that captures a sweet and gentle simplicity that's often hard to find in music these days. "

From Gary Gordon

I Can't Settle Down

This is one Tim Carter had kicked around a while. He and Roberta brought it together real quickly. I was excited with the drive and feel. A fine bluegrass number.

300 Miles from Hazard

We wanted to do another Si Kahn song. This one's got great subject matter. Country themes of hardships at work and infidelity at home. It was a pleasure to re-arrange this one from Si.

Rock-a-Bye Cindy

About the troubles drinking can bring to a family. Meridian Green was at the studio with her acoustic guitar, equipped with a Parsons/White Stringbender. She says to me, “Gary, I'll leave this guitar out for you. I'm leaving tomorrow and you should use it on your new record.” I had played a Parsons/White equipped Telecaster for years but this acoustic was a beast. Really hard to operate with finesse. Anyway about 6 am I rose and put the acoustic B-Bender parts on. Glad I did. It's a nice spice for the mix.

Blackjack Davey

Roberta's old time tour de force with Bruce Molsky. Bruce is on banjo and fiddle. Robert Bowlin comes in to duet with Bruce. I love this sound. Roberta should do an entire CD with Bruce. The real thing.

All My Tears

This speaks of redemption and forgiveness. Really nice gospel song from Julie Miller.

Widow Mae

Our kind of bluegrass again. About folks getting together romantically later in life. Tim Carter on banjo.

When I Get Over You

Written by our friend the late Randy Leiner. Although Randy was a rock artist, I heard this as a country song. A song just right for The Gordons. Just guitar, bass, dobro, and vocals. This one really soars.

Give Me Water, Lord

Our prayer. Roberta and I like the occasional acapella. This is the original demo recording. We liked it and kept it.

Lincoln's Funeral Train

Being from Illinois, this one is fitting. It seems around the world, he's the most respected American. We've played this one live a good while. Cut it as a duet for Live in Holland.

Thank You For Reminding Me

Written in the studio. We wrote this for our son Noah. I like Noah's harmony on this one and Robert Bowlin's backup guitar. He ambled in, picked up my Gallagher, and did the part that fits so nicely.

Shady Grove

I was playing this alone at the kitchen table one morning. Noah was visiting and came in the room suggesting we record it just that way. It's so different from the usual renditions.

Randall Collins

Robert Bowlin and I did this early one morning. He came in from the guest house adamant about wanting to put it down. Robert played an old Larson flat-top. I picked up my Mothers Marine Band harmonica and I played banjo into the vocal mic as the song ends.

A Child's Song

Written the evening my mother died. I sang this from the view of a young child, confused and saddened. Noah sings harmony. Robert Bowlin came in and said he had a mandolin part to fit. Plaintive and expressive, as is David's fiddle solo.

After All This Time

I started this song while walking down a country road here in the fall season. It was foggy. I imagined a young man who left home long ago and was returning for the first time. Could he make out the landmarks? What kind of reception would he receive? Barry and Holly Tashian helped bring the bridge together nicely. Noah sings harmony with us. Many have said this is our best song.