Bluegrass is a truly multinational genre these days, as Taff Rapids demonstrate. Bands like The Seldom Scene and Chicken Wire Empire are pushing the boundaries while still respecting the traditions of Bluegrass past. That past is brought back to life with ‘The Clayton McMichen Story.’ A largely forgotten pioneer of the genre celebrated by his friends. EZRA are only on their third album but have established a style all their own, which is still recognisably Bluegrass. So far, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of quality over quantity in terms of album releases, and here we have some of the finest so far this year.
Taff Rapids are a Cardiff-based band featuring members from England, Scotland and Canada as well as Wales. “Blŵgras” offers a uniquely Welsh perspective on the bluegrass genre. ‘Cyn Ddaw’r Bore Nôl’ opens the album which has both English and Welsh language tunes. ‘ETA,’ a tale of life on the road, is typical of the style of the album, which is fairly traditional in structure, with practised harmonies and frenetic soloing. The songwriting, by contrast is a blend of modern folk and world influences mixing into the Bluegrass style we know and love. Having played the IBMA World of Bluegrass Showcase in Raleigh, North Carolina and toured in Canada, they have made their mark where Bluegrass is king. Hardly a surprise when the songs are so good. ‘Photograph’, ‘Honco Monco’ and the slower tempo ‘Idle Hours’ are the songs to sample first.
The Seldom Scene has been in business for 53 years. The lineup has inevitably changed over that time, and with their 24th album, “Remains to Be Scene,” the current lineup is still looking forward with a collection of progressive-grass covers. The statement of intent is set with ‘Last of the Steam-Powered Trains’ which translates from ‘The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society’ to a new Bluegrass standard with ease. Elsewhere they offer Jim Croce and a couple from Dylan, as well as some more predictable covers from the Bluegrass community. ‘Hard Travelin’, a Woody Guthrie song by way of Flatt and Scruggs is one of the album highlights. As is Dylan’s ‘Farewell, Angelina,’ although they have based their arrangement on John Mellencamp’s version. They also revisit their own past with ‘White Line’ which they recorded in 1974 for their ‘Live at the Cellar Door’ album. A year when Alison Krauss and Union Station release a new album may well feel like one when album of the year is decided, but the title “Remains to Be Scene.”
“Froggy’s Demise” from EZRA is another entry in the progressive-grass category. Often described as a “genre-busting ensemble,” a description which opening instrumental ‘Waldeinsamkeit’ lives up to. There is a film somewhere that is calling for this to be its theme. The title is a German expression meaning “a sublime feeling of being alone in the woods.” Like Chicken Wire Empire, they are playing with definitions and genres, and the style here also has elements of Chamber Music, and Jazz. “Get ready for some spiky synchronised jabs, some supersonic triplets, some asymmetrical metric turns, some loping rhythms, some poignant sensitivity, and some real-nerdy harmonic shifts, all grounded by a playful, folky tunefulness” they advise us. The atmospheric ‘Maya’ contrasts with the bowed bass of ‘McLaughlin,’ and the bossa nova of ‘Sobreandando.’ Overall, a great album from one of the most exciting bands adjacent to Bluegrass.
The SteelDrivers are another band with a milestone, although, for them, it’s “only” 20 years. “Outrun” is one of those albums that sits at the junction of the traditions of Bluegrass and the more radio-friendly contemporary world of country music. The title song has a Bonnie and Clyde meets Gone in 60 Seconds vibe, referencing a “Shelby GT Ford” in the same breath as the Grim Reaper. They also tag themselves as “progressive bluegrass”, which seems reflects an emphasis on the song over the intricate performance. ‘Booze and Cigarettes’ is bluesy and packs a punch which would sit on most country music radio stations or playlists. When they slow the pace on ‘Prisoners Tears’ they allow the quality of their playing to shine through, especially from Fiddler Tammy Rogers.
‘The Clayton McMichen Story’ was released In 1982 and now gets a long overdue reissue on CD and digital. It is a set of a songs that were integral to McMichen’s musical life, performed after his death by some high-profile fans, including Merle Travis, Mac Wiseman, and Joe Maphis. Listening to the album, you can hear where the roots of much of what makes up contemporary Bluegrass while remaining eminently listenable. Merle Travis got his start playing in McMichen’s band in 1937, so had a very personal stake in getting this album made. It has a varied choice of material, with ‘House of the Rising Sun’ sitting alongside ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ and ‘I’m Looking Over A Four-Leaf Clover.’ As a historical artefact it is fascinating, and there will be something for everyone amongst its 26 tracks.
Chicken Wire Empire’s fourth studio album, “Growing Pains”, is their first release for 7 years. “It reflects the growth we’ve been through as a band”, they say and has some notable guest spots from Jerry Douglas and Kyle Tuttle. It is built on the modern Bluegrass chassis which Union Station pioneered, and Douglas’ inimitable Dobro is all over ‘Fiddle and Song.’ Elsewhere there are some much braver musical choices. The Heartland rock of ‘Lonely Night’ and the Jazzy minor keys of ‘Asheville’ and ‘Me & You’. The string section in the latter has an almost Beatles circa Sgt. Pepper feel to it. This is an album which has a variety which transcends genre and rewards careful listening. Their press release says, “There are some unique choices for a bluegrass album here, like chamber strings, an acapella interlude, and some off-the-wall effectual sounds.” As Bluegrass continues to evolve, Chicken Wire Empire are at the top of the list of innovative groups looking over the hill to see where they can take it next. Another album which suggests the awards season for 2025 is far from settled.
Chicken Wire Empire have sent AUK an exclusive taste of the album with their single, ‘Fiddle and Song‘ due out on the 1st May. The album is released in June.
