A wonderful new album by a dynamic young group that has hit the Bluegrass scene in a big way in a short time. The 6-piece band (named after Bill Monroe's favorite horse) plays strictly traditional, hard-edged Bluegrass yet is also appealing to a younger, contemporary audience. With solid singing by Reid Burgess, John McDonald and Ted Pitney, the band has a knack for picking a good mix of material, both new and old, and they project a youthful and engaging energy, exuberance and enthusiasm. Good original songs by Burgess (mandolin) and lead guitarist Pitney include IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME, DRIFTING AWAY, BROKE DOWN AND LONESOME and the fine LEE AND PAIGE, an old-time duet with simple mandolin and guitar accompaniment. The band is equally impressive with fine versions of lesser-known standards like SOME GLAD DAY, SPARKLING BROWN EYES, BLUE YODEL # 7 and WHERE THE OLD RED RIVER FLOWS. The group is solid instrumentally, with some nice lead guitar work by Pitney. The future of Bluegrass is in good hands with musicians like this who obviously love and respect its traditions. Well-recommended!
