This time we have a clutch of debut albums and EPs. Sometimes the music we have submitted for this column stretches the definition of Bluegrass, but this time we have mostly quite straight-ahead records, with only Blackwater Railroad Company challenging our preconceptions, with an album that defies you to categorise it. Of the rest the quality of writing and performing on first entries into the recording world are exceptionally high, and bode well for the future.
San Fr
ancisco acoustic americana/ bluegrass band Mission Hill offer their first full length album, after 10 years of playing together. They are justifiably proud of ‘So It Goes’ saying, “our brand of Amerikinda-Bluegrass music offers many moods with lyrics that explore love lost and rediscovered, enchantment, disappointment, the pull of vice and voice of demons, and a love of nature. It’s all there!” Nothing exceptionally new in any of these 12 songs, but there is passion in the playing and singing. There is a core trio of writer Richard Lamar Moore on mandolin and lead vocals, Aaron Zorndorf on guitar, and harmonies, with Woody Lauer on bass and a variety of friends pulled in as required. Opening song ‘Hells Bells’ and ballad ‘Yosemite’ are the two real standout tunes, but the 12 pieces hang together as a fine album. Timeless music in the bluegrass tradition was their aim. Job done.
Last Hour Bluegrass are a gospel group from North Carolina, featuring a five-piece band with southern gospel style four-part harmony vocals mixed with traditional, acoustic music. This is their debut album, and the emphasis is very much on the singing and the words which are clearly a vital part of their music and lives. The music is traditional Bluegrass in style and is there to serve the words with solo features breaking up the message. Leader Caleb Munson says, “his album reflects our deep-rooted love for bluegrass and our dedication to bringing its rich traditions to our audience. We hope listeners will find a piece of His story in every track,”
Another debut album from Milltown Philosophers. I don’t know if it’s intentional but ‘Devil of a Time’ which kicks the album off is a dead ringer for ZZ Top’s ‘Sharp Dressed Man.’ A Canadian Newgrass band who describe themselves as Canadiana, a term that I’ve heard often recently, do we need to rename the website? Their urgent 3-part harmonies are at the heart of their sound along with intricate fiddle melodies from Adam Johnson. Their varying influences feed into a sound that has a lot of pop/rock to it. ‘Bigger Better Deal’ would make a great radio play single string simple melody and harmonies to sing along with. James Climenhage says he started the band to make music with a “simple complexity and a creative bluegrass/newgrass sound.” And he has achieved that blending the traditional influences with the rock style singing of Laurie Rathier and jazz influences of Corry Climenhage. A cracking debut album.
The Kyle O’Brien Band have a new 5 song EP, ‘Bear in The Trash’ out now. In his press release he says: “We’ve got original songs, a fiddle tune, and classic bluegrass. Kudos to Joey on Banjo, Dylan on Dobro, and Ian on Bass.” As much a teacher as a player, O’Brien has toured the world as a cultural ambassador for the State Department teaching workshops on folk, bluegrass, and country music. All of which has fed into this EP which is a masterclass on how to play classic Bluegrass with that touch of individuality to make it stand out from the crowd. Closing with a cracking version of ‘Take Home Country Roads’ this could be one of my favourite releases this year.
Steve Erickson’s new, and fourth, album, “Crooked Road,” creates an evocative journey through the heart of Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, a 333-mile journey through Southwest Virginia’s rich musical landmarks. he pays homage to the region’s old-time and bluegrass traditions while infusing a fresh, modern perspective. He has that dark rich voice which works so well in traditionally based music. The title song has a classic Mandolin and Dobro sound which adds to the slightly wistful words narrating the journey along the trail. Mixing in some traditional songs with his fine originals works well, and grounds the album in the music’s roots. His own songs are very contemporary ‘Lay Me Down Beside My Love’ and ‘Find a Light’ are easily the best performances, with an uncredited female singer duetting in just the right places. The album veers towards the introspective later on, with ‘Flip Side’ being a rumination on where the world is going. There is as with Kyle O’Brien just enough of the new to stand this out from run of the mill Bluegrass, recommended.
Blackwater Railroad Company began as a community band in Seward, Alaska ‘A Lovely Place to Die‘ is their latest album. “We write a lot about what we feel it is to be an Alaskan and what it is to seek out a life worth living, and finding a lovely place to die,” the band says. “Everybody has a story worth telling, and we want to create music that resonates with the highs and lows, the celebration and joy, but also the complexities.” A gritty sound on the up-tempo songs like ‘Raging Bull In The Barroom’ which features a first for me in this sort of music, a tenor saxophone solo straight out of Louis Jordan or Earl Bostic. Single ‘Rock and Roll Man’ starts quietly but kicks into a driving country tune, with more of Braden Rollins tenor, Fender Rhodes piano and an epic anthemic quality. ‘Young No More’ is more traditionally Bluegrass, but there is such a variety of influences on this record, Jump Blues on ‘Rooster,’ Pogues style folk on ‘Happy Tune’ that you can never get bored with this album. Is it Bluegrass? Tangentially, but then that would apply to any other genre, but it is good fun.
