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This is really a stealth CD or it was for me. What is wonderful about this group is the talent each of the four members brings to the mix. At first listening it seemed an okay bluegrass album. But repeated listenings cast their spell. The results are wonderfully eclectic. To say it's like hearing Allison Klauss teamed with a de-politicized Dixie Chicks doesn't really do it justice--but if the idea appeals to you by all means give this a chance.
I could listen to her sing "The Last Goodbye" all day long. Abigail Washburn plays a delightful clawhammer banjo. It's to be hoped that the current g'Earls are all aboard for the long haul--as long as they can turn out material like this, they will be on the must-hear list of any fan of bluegrass, old-time country or any kind of "traditional" music.All four members of the quartet are accomplished instrumentalists. Besides the two I've already mentioned, there are several more.
Rayna Gellert is the group's fiddler; she can dazzle you with virtuosity or take a more supporting role as needed. This is the second album by the current line-up of the "g'Earls" of Uncle Earl (a third album by an earlier lineup is hard to get ahold of). And while Kristin Andreassen doesn't have a huge voice, her singing has a way of growing on you. Helena" with its shape-note introduction. And Kristin Andreassen is the "utility g'Earl" who moves with ease from guitar to fiddle to banjo ukulele to harmonica, and will even throw in a little clog-dancing.
There's just an intangible "rightness" to how she covers numbers like "The Birds Were Singing of You," an old Carter Family tune.What makes "Waterloo, Tennessee" a true classic album is the abundance of truly memorable tracks. And then there's the extraordinary "Streak o'Lean, Streak o'Fat," which I would liken to a rousing hoedown tune where the caller (the Mandarin-fluent Abby Washburn) starts shouting in Chinese. KC Groves, the co-founder of Uncle Earl, primarily mandolin, mixed with some guitar. "One True" is an exuberant affair that could well become the group's "anthem." "D & P Blues" is another showcase for Abigail Washburn's wide-ranging vocal talents. Erin Youngberg joins the group on bass for several numbers.All four g'Earls are competent vocalists, who harmonize extremely well together, and two of them are more than competent as soloists.
Abby Washburn, as several reviews have noted, has a beautiful voice with some of the heart-breaking quality of Emmylou Harris. I also love "Wish I Had My Time Again" and "Bony on the Isle of St. This one has become Uncle Earl's first music video.As I said, this album is an absolute must for any fan of traditional music.
great moments great voices great musicians the record runs in loop you can sing along with the girls or dance with your mates. A bluegrass full of grace.
If you've never believed that Chinese and Bluegrass had a common meeting point, you've got to hear this CD. As well as traditional bluegrass and a few progressive tracks, this group of highly talented musicians lays down new ground.most excellent
Not necessarily old-time, nor bluegrass, nor folk, this CD by Uncle Earl is in constant rotation on my car player. They have old-time fiddle tunes that rock but I really love to see them live.
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