Fresh SOunds | December 2013
{
Chasing Blue, Low Valley: From the Boston bluegrass scene comes Chasing Blue, ripe with original songwriting, intriguing arrangements, and progressive lyrical thought. On Low Valley, the next generation does well to blend their voices, tune their technical prowess and deliver with forward-thinking tone. The quintet offers different parts of themselves that together makes them a solid band and one that should earn the attention of fans of acoustic string music, young and old. www.chasingblueband.com
James King Band, Three Chords and the Truth: Taking classic country songs and giving them his bluegrass makeover, revered vocalist and bandleader James King sings straight to the heart of the listener on Three Chords and the Truth. In his usual impressive style, King shares stories through song with unmatched emotion and power. Guest musicians on the album include Ron
20
International Bluegrass
{
The Grascals, When I Get My Pay: Perennial hit makers The Grascals continue to score on When I Get My Pay, showcasing their versatility, expert songwriting, and infectious sound. With some countrified bluegrass, to regular heartbreaking ballads and rollicking banjo rolls, When I Get My Pay is a solid listen. The standout track has to be “American Pickers” featuring Dierks Bentley; the theme song is based on the popular reality show American Pickers, and the show’s host is featured in the music video. Also noteworthy is the powerful, harmony laden cover of “Bluegrass Melodies,” a tribute to band mentors, The Osborne Brothers. www.thegrascals.com
Stewart on the banjo, Jesse Brock (mandolin), Jason Moore (bass), Jimmy Mattingly (fiddle), and Josh Williams (guitar). Don Rigsby and Dudley Connell sing harmony vocals. www.jameskingband.com Jean-Luc Leroux, Ma Mando et Moi: This endearing Frenchman’s bluegrass and country album reflects a unique and inspiring interpretation of music, full of fine mandolin picking, and sweet harmonies. The foreign language barrier adds to the intrigue and novelty of the album, making it a joy to listen to. Notable guests on the album include Mike Bub on bass, and Rob Ickes on Dobro, Guthrie Trapp on electric guitar, Matt Hooper on fiddle, and Butch Robins on banjo. Leroux is based in New Caledonia. Jean-Luc‘s website Jonathan Warren & The Billy Goats, On This Very Evening: From the get-go, this album by trio Jonathan Warren (vocals, guitar, bass, banjo, harmonica), David Sather-Smith (vocals, cello, guitar), and Andrew Smith (drums, percussion), is a rollicking, genre-bending good time. Warren’s creativity as a musician and songwriter is played out with honesty and humor as he mashes bluegrass, new-time, folk, Appalachia, and rock. Pay attention to the rascal you hear in their voices. www.jonathanwarrenmusic.com
Newtown, Time Machine: On their first album with Pisgah Ridge, the bluegrass band from Lexington, Kentucky crafts their diverse musical influences into something powerful. Time Machine is chock full of clever and rich stories, passionately told by Kati Penn-Williams on fiddle and lead vocals, CJ Cain on guitar, mandolinist Clint Hurd, banjo picker Jr. Williams, and Terry Poirier on bass. www.katipenn.com Unspoken Tradition, Simple Little Town: You can tell a band is tight by the music they produce together, and judging by that, Unspoken Tradition has set a standard. With a sound that is steeped in tradition and cultivated by passion, new ideas and life experiences, Simple Little Town delivers something for everyone. It’s the relatable stories and lyrics that connect the listener to this solid band the most, the sheer talent in instrumentals is the icing on the cake. www.unspokentradition.com