Squareneck Soul
Americana Vibes, 2023
9/10
A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who plays in the always exceptional outfit The Infamous Stringdusters, this debut from Andy Hall brings us 10 instrumental bluegrass tunes that take help from Billy Strings, among other top notch players.
“Up In Bigfoot Country” opens the listen with Travis Book’s glowing bass alongside Sierra Hull’s picked mandolin in the warm bluegrass climate, and “Skunk Weed” follows with Bryan Sutton’s fluid guitar guiding the rich display.
At the halfway point, “Red Road Station” benefits much from Wes Corbitt’s meticulous banjo that suits the rhythmic landscape, while “Event Horizon” employs Ronnie McCoury’s skilled mandolin prowess that helps the moutain-esque melodies unfold in the album’s best.
The last 2 tracks don’t disappoint either, where the title track a bare and dreamy delivery, and “Crooked Mountain Top” exits with the strings, bass and guitar interacting with swift dynamics and timeless bluegrass nods that we could never tire of.
A listen that parallels the greatness of his full band work, Hall’s slide guitar album that’s 15 years in the making is a picking masterpiece that bluegrass fans will be smitten with.
Travels well with: The Sweet Lillies- Equality; Damn Tall Buildings- Sleeping Dogs