I’m always amazed at how many jazz fans turn their collective noses up to country and bluegrass. First of all, the bluegrass players can BLOW! They’ve got chops galore, and while the banjo may not be your first choice of a solo, you can’t argue with some of these guys on the old Martin guitar. Second, the vocal harmonies are something that is missing in most jazz-please take note. Lastly, like all the best soloists, these songs TELL A STORY. SO, get off your high horse and check some of these latest releases out
The Steeldrivers is pretty much your standard bearing bluegrass band. The vocals provided by Tammy Rogers/fiddle-viola, Mike Fleming/b and Gary Nichols/g are earthy and earnest, while the swinging picking by them and Richard Bailey/banjo and Brent Truitt/mand make the 3 time Grammy nominated keep the feet tapping and a drummer completely non-essential . Classic themes like murder (“Shallow Grave”)drinking (“Wearin’ A Hole”) and loveless love (“Cry No Mississippi”)as well as other broken Commandments are covered here, and it feels good slugging down.
Steve Martin has always been known as a respectable picker, even back to his days with The Glen Campbell Show. Here he teams up with vocalsist Edie Brickell as well as guests Waddy Wachtel, Sara Watkins Peter Asher, Esperanza Spalding and The Webb Sisters for some folksy storytelling. A fascinating tale about an abandoned child (SarahJane and the Iron Mtn Baby”) as well as another one about not giving one up for adoption (“Love Has Come For You”) deliver important messages without being overbearing, while the string laden “When You Get To Asheville” is filled with deep hope and regret. One of the best parts of this kind of genre is how much can be said in a mere 3 minute song. Jazzers could learn a LOT from that.
Not all bluegrass bands come from Nashville; the quintet Della Mae hales from Boston, and they are definitely more than a novelty act. They’ve been honing their chops with the likes of Willie Nelson, Del McCoury and Taj Mahal, so they’ve got some veritas. The music is centered around Kimber Ludiker/vio, Celia Woodsmith/g-v, Shelby Means/b and Courtney Hartman/g-v-voc with Jenni Lyn/g, bringing forth a mix of originals that have warm harmonies and hot soloing. Unpretentious, and not over showy, they win you over with ardent skills.
Now, if you want some picking, step right up and try to keep up with the chops of Jessie Baker/banjo, Andy Leftwich/fid, Bryan Sutton/g and jeff Parker/mand on supercharged pieces on Dailey & Vincent’s recent release. A track like “Steel Drivin’ Man” will get your head spinning. Bill Monroe tunes like “Close By” and Wilma Lee Cooper’s “Tomorrow I’ll Be Gone” have Dailey’s voice grabbing you by the throat. The title track is a classic theme of the unity of truckers, and will get you singing along in no time. Isn’t this why people listen to music anyway?
Rounder Records