Bluegrass 2022
Pinecastle, 2022
8/10
The Pinecastle label assembles 10 traditional and classic instrumental bluegrass tunes, where Scott Vestal is joined by Cody Kilby (The Travelin’ McCourys), Byron House (Sam Bush/Robert Plant), Tim Crouch (Dolly Parton), Randy Kohrs (Tom T. Hall) and Jonah Horton (The Trailblazers) for the spirited and timeless affair.
“John Hardy” opens the listen with swift banjo and playful bass lines in the upbeat and infectious bluegrass climate, and “EMD” continues this formula with incredible string precision that flows with plenty of grace and adventurous surrounding the melodies.
“Blackberry Blossom” lands in the middle and brings both restraint and excitement to the acrobatic picking fun, while “Welcome To New York” emits much emotion in its moutain-esque song craft.
Nearing the end, “Lonesome Fiddle Blues” indeed brings a bit of the blues to the meticulous fiddle playing, and “Train 45” exits the listen with some experimental moments that segue into very fast string playing that will certainly get your body moving to the rural energy.
A listen that will delight fans of bluegrass new and old, the compositions by Bill Monroe, David Grisman, John Hartford and many more sound crisp and animated in Vestal and crew’s very capable hands.
Travels well with: Jim Hurst- From The Ground Up; Kim Robins- Leave The Porch Light On