Play The Bull Mountain Moonshiner’s Way
Pinecastle, 2019
8/10
Listen to Play The Bull Mountain Moonshiner’s Way
A long running bluegrass musician and Grand Old Opry star, this installment of tunes from the always impressive Jesse McReynolds pays homage to his grandfather, Matthew McReynolds, as he uses his antique instrument and style from the landmark Bristol sessions.
The title track starts the listen with fiddle acrobatics from Steve Thomas as the raw, melodic vocals guide us through the timeless bluegrass sounds, and “Billy In The Lowground” follows with Corrina Rose Logston lending a hand on the flowing and lush instrumental.
At 16 tracks, there’s much to take in here, but most songs reside around the 2 minute mark and there’s plenty of diversity. While “The Girl I Left Behind Me” brings a country spirit to the affair, “Kennedy Rag” offers folk influences amid the stunning string work from Jim Brock.
Near the end, “Leather Britches” is a quick paced masterpiece of bluegrass sounds, and “Turkey In The Straw” exits the listen strong and memorable with a classic country and bluegrass approach.
Amazingly, the fiddle used on all these tunes was purchased for $7 in the 1800s, and nearly a dozen players make precise use of it on this listen. Even more amazing is that Jesse Reynolds is 90 years old now, and plays like he hasn’t missed a beat since his inception in the 1940s.
Travels well with: Hot Buttered Rum- Lonesome Panoramic; Dailey & Vincent- Patriots & Poets