The debut album by the Cumberland Three was also an attempt by Morris Levy"s Roulette Records to get in on a piece of the folk-music action spurred by the success of the Kingston Trio. The album compares very favorably with the work of the Kingston Trio -- no less a figure than the latter group"s co-founder, Dave Guard (who was to be succeeded by Cumberland Trio co-founder John Stewart), endorses the Cumberland Three on the original jacket -- and may even be preferable to some listeners, because the Cumberland Three don"t let overt humor and comic relief play too large a role in their recordings. Not that they don"t have fun, but they concentrate on the music, which ranges from traditional folk to faux Civil War songs and calypso-influenced numbers. The vocals are impeccable, and even more alluring as they aren"t too perfect -- John Stewart"s singing on "New Land" is rough-hewn and affecting in a very serious way, and the rousing follow-up, "Nine Hundred Miles," makes them a perfect match-up on the original album. The 1999 Collectors" Choice reissue has been extended with three bonus tracks, a surprisingly soulful version of Leadbelly"s "Cotton Fields," a lyrical and touching "You Can Tell the World," and a slow but not too mournful "Old Dog Blue," all familiar songs from other venues that come to life anew here. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide