Live Vol. 2
Tydal Wave, 2021
9/10
The Utah sensations Ryan Shupe & The RubberBand are celebrating 25 years together with this well documented live album, where their rock, country, folk and jazz nods are firmly planted in their bluegrassy ways across these 18 exceptional tunes.
“Hey Hey Hey” starts the listen with an upbeat and flowing display of soaring vocal harmonies, fiery mandolin playing and plenty of bluegrass fun, and “Simplify” continues the formula with fluid picking and a warm rootsy appeal you can’t help but enjoy.
Further into the set, “Even Superman” emits a cautious yet frisky display of fiddle acrobatics and technical drumming from Nate Young, while “Would You Love Me” showcases Craig Miner’s banjo prowess in a very thoughtful and intimate execution. “All I Need” then trims the pace back with a breezy ballad that illustrate just how skilled the band are in calmer areas, too.
Closer to the end, the quirky and country influenced “Corn Dogs” should soundtrack anyone’s trip to a state fair this summer, and “Banjo Boy” exits the listen with incredible playing from all the members, whose strings align superbly and are executed meticulously.
Shupe and company have released 8 albums before this one, and even if you never heard those records, this is still a great place to start to enjoy their inimitable and admirable bluegrass formula.
Travels well with: Wilson Banjo Co.- Six Degrees Of Separation; The Farm Hands- 4.0