Aced
Mountain Home, 2026
9/10
The fiddle and mandolin wizard, Andy Leftwich, is joined by Cody Kilby, Byron House and Matt Menefee for these 11 bluegrass fueled tracks that explore covers and offer detailed originals.
The title track opens with the quick fiddle and House’s strategic bass amid Menefee’s flowing banjo that’s not short on melody, and “Old Hickory” follows with banjo acrobatics adding much richness to the timeless bluegrass flavor.
Halfway through, the animated mandolin of “Highland Rim” illustrates incredible finger acrobatics as the trio interact playfully, while “Crossville” showcases House’s frisky bass playing alongside the colorful banjo and gripping fiddle.
Later on, “Brookstone” is a bit slower but no less impactful, as the strings mesh flawlessly with Kilby’s precise guitar, and “Road To Antioch” exits with intimacy and warmth radiating from the authentic songwriting.
An instrumental album of incredible detail, Leftwich and his company offer plenty of solos, Celtic influences and gospel bouts amid the inestimable interaction between the 3 players.
Travels well with: Vickie Vaughn- Travel On; Unspoken Tradition- Resilience