Songs on the 36-minute project include: 1. Dark Hollow, 2. Wishing Well Blues, 3. Laughin Man, 4. Fifty Miles of Elbow Room, 5. Close the Door Lightly, 6. Christuma, 7. Skippin in the Mississippi Dew, 8. Prairie Lullaby, 9. Possum Trot, 10. True Love, 11. Way Down in Dixieland, 12. Sandy Boys

Troubadour Dennis White has North Carolina roots and some Tennessee branches before his relocation to the wide, open state of Montana. During his college days, he did field recordings in Virginia and seems to personally relate to the message of the Carter Family's "Fifty Miles of Elbow Room" that he first heard back then. "When the gates swing wide on the other side, where the flowers ever bloom, on the right hand, on the left hand, fifty miles of elbow room."

At present, White works in Bozeman, Mt. as musical director for the Montana Mandolin Society. With many performance, production and recording credits under his belt, it's interesting to go back and review his 1998 release that represents his musical journey through traditional, folk, bluegrass, string band, classic country, and original music. White likes plenty of room to move and operate in, and the versatile multi-instrumentalist (guitar, mandolin, banjo) covers a broad scope of acoustic music. Why, he even offers "Christuma," a Brazilian huapongo dance tune! Then, there are the songs from Bill Monroe, John Hartford, Marshall Wilborn, Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Pat Alger, and Eric Anderson. Dennis' own originals include "Way Down in Dixieland" and "Laughin' Man." The former has a bluegrass bite and nostalgically dreams of home while on the road playing one-night stands. The latter is a lively instrumental contradance tune that is sure to impart some vigor to your step.

With plenty of authenticity and unpretentious picking and singing, Dennis and company demonstrate relaxed musical showmanship and presentation. The aural kaleidoscope incorporates acoustic string instruments along with some other unique flavors - touches of accordion, jew's harp, bones, hand drum, congos. I also like his approach of infusing his music with various banjo styles such as plucking, frailing, clawhammering, and bluegrass picking.

When Dennis put out this album, he had an eclectic band called The Station Wagoneers. I'm assuming that some of the featured guest musicians were in his band at that time, and some may still be picking with him in the Montana Mandolin Society. "Elbow Room" is like an old window that allows us to cast a glance through a historical pane back to Dennis White's earlier roots. It is both pleasant and intriguing music, presented with solid musicianship from that region. "Elbow Room" is a bonanza of rich musical ore. Since then, numerous highly-acclaimed albums from the Montana Mandolin Society have been added to Dennis' continuing discography. His music was also included in the Ken Burns' documentary film, "Prohibition." (Joe Ross)