Leaving Is Believing
Mountain Home, 2023
8/10
Listen to Leaving Is Believing
Although he released his debut album in 1999, the singer/songwriter and mandolinist Ashby Frank is just now returning with his follow up. Turns out, the professional musician since the age of 16 has just been too busy until now, but he’s made the wait worth it with these 13 bluegrass rooted songs.
“Any Trouble” gets the listen off to a warm start, where Seth Taylor’s agile guitar and Deanie Richardson’s well timed fiddle complement Frank’s smooth voice in the Paul Westerberg original, and “Midnight Highway” follows with a speedy approach that benefits from Josh Hunt’s drum prowess and Matt Menefee’s glowing banjo as Frank hits some high notes.
Elsewhere, the calm climate of “Sea Of South Dakota” welcomes Travis Anderson’s precise bass and Andrea Zonn’s radiant fiddle and harmony vocals, while “Jump On It” brings a frisky appeal, where Sturdivant Cromwall’s juiceharp and Josh Shilling’s animated piano will get your body moving to the lively rhythm.
Closer to the end, “Where I’m Bound” places Thomas Wywrot on banjo and Jim Van Cleve on fiddle for the bright spirit, and “Your Face Again” exits with Brandon Bostic’s dobo skills and Frank’s meticulous mandolin in the comical and relevant finish.
Let’s hope it isn’t another couple decades before Frank pens an album of his own, cause his mandolin skills are unparalleled and he sure does surround himself with excellent company.
Travels well with: The Alex Leach Band- All The Way; Fireside Collective- Across The Divide