Black, from the state of Iowa, is a solid and proficient "chromatic" style banjo player who worked with Bill Monroe from 1974-76 and recorded several of Kenny Baker's fine fiddle albums. Here, helped by Frank Wakefield and John Hartford among others, he shows a more "progressive" side than on his previous recordings as a sideman and though there is no quarrel with his technique & dynamics, the album is short of standout material(it is all originals). MOUNTAINS OF MERRIMAC, CONESVILLE SWAMP, RED TOP RAG, BRAND NEW DAY, SNAKE IN THE GRAPEVINE, LONESOME WHEELS, GILBERT STREET, etc.
