Swing For The Fences
Pinecastle, 2020
8/10
Listen to Swing For The Fences
Phil Leadbetter has had an impressive career that includes playing with JD Crowe & The New South, Wildfire, Grasstowne, and, currently, Dale Bradley. Here, he’s aligned with Robert Hale (guitar), Steve Gulley (bass), Alan Bibey (mandolin), and Jason Burleson (banjo), as they craft some exceptional modern bluegrass.
“No End To This Road” starts the listen with warm strings as glowing vocal harmonies enter the soothing bluegrass template that allows for some precise solos, and “I Wanna Go Back”, with Steve Wariner, follows with cautious melodies amid the country spirited atmosphere.
Halfway through, “Yesterday’s Gone” shifts into sublime balladry as female vocals enter the emotive template where Tim Crouch’s fiddle makes an impression, while “Ready And Waiting” picks up the pace into soaring, fluid and gospel influenced rural sounds. “The Hurtin’ When You Go”, one of the best tracks included, then offers vivid storytelling and smooth singing alongside dynamic musicianship.
Close to the end, “Times Are Tough” resides closer to folk territory, and “One Way Rider” exits the listen with a swift display of timeless songwriting where Stuart Duncan sits in on fiddle.
A cancer survivor, Leadbetter came back to win the 2019 ‘Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year’ award. There’s actually 6 IBMA awards between the members here, and they take that vast skill to tunes you won’t forget anytime soon on this top notch recording.
Travels well with: Robert Hale- Blue Haze; Lindley Creek- Freedom, Love And The Open Road