Here’s a collaboration between two throwback styles of music that cut to the heart of the American temperament; bluegrass and jazz. Father and banjo/guitarist Phil Rosenthal is best known for his bluegrass and folk group The Seldom Scene. Son and trumpeter Daniel Rosenthal was a member of Either/Orchestra. Together, with a bit of help from Mike Connors/dr, Will Grael/g and Beth Sommers/voc, they hit the perfect chord of American traditions. The melding of Phil’s banjo, back porch baritone voice and home spun demeanor with Daniel’s pre-swing horn is akin to an audio Norman Rockwell painting. Church traditional such as “I’ll Fly Away” sound eternally important while the harrowing “Pretty Polly” is as daunting as ever. Original compositions such as “The Rainy Afternoon” and “Masquerade Ball” have a homey attraction that belies the daunting lyrics. The music is always taken at a pace like a church softball game; no one’s in a rush, except to have a good time.
American Melody