SKAGGS, RICKY love's gonna get ya! FE40309

The New Traditionalist at His Peak: Ricky Skaggs’s “Love’s Gonna Get Ya!”

The 1980s were a fascinating time for country music, and at the forefront of the “new traditionalist” movement was the incredibly talented Ricky Skaggs. A brilliant showcase of his sound, which brought traditional bluegrass and honky-tonk values back to the mainstream, is his 1986 album, “Love’s Gonna Get Ya!” We’re looking at the US pressing on the Epic label, with the catalog number FE 40309.

Ricky Skaggs was a musical prodigy, a master of the mandolin and guitar who had deep roots in the bluegrass world. When he arrived in Nashville, he brought that instrumental fire and a respect for the traditions of country music, combined with a fresh, contemporary energy that was perfect for the 80s. “Love’s Gonna Get Ya!” is a perfect example of this winning formula.

The album is a vibrant and expertly played collection of modern country music. It’s filled with the tight vocal harmonies, nimble instrumental solos, and heartfelt storytelling that are hallmarks of his work. The production is clean and polished, fitting in perfectly with the sound of the 80s, but the music itself is pure, authentic country and bluegrass.

The album features a string of successful singles, including the upbeat and infectious title track and the classic-sounding “I’ve Got a New Heartache.” Throughout the record, Skaggs’s clear, powerful tenor voice and the stellar musicianship of his band are on full display. This is the sound that revitalized traditional country music, proving that it could have a major place on the charts during a pop-dominated decade.

For any fan of traditional country, bluegrass, and the incredible musicianship of one of the genre’s modern masters, “Love’s Gonna Get Ya!” is an essential and joyous album.