East Nash Grass – All God’s Children
Bluegrass has come a long way from the days of originator Bill Monroe (who met with some resistance). It found its way past the country disapproving parents, made friends with the pop music neighbors, & kept its tradition, intention & spirit tight to its chest. East Nash Grass makes their bluegrass accessible to the ears on All God’s Children (Drops Aug 22/Mountain Fever Records/41:13). Mainstream ears may not have heard this music as a regular part of their musical meal.
“All God’s Children” has plenty of attractive playing & the vocals are primarily rural, homegrown & smooth as hooch on a hot summer’s day. The fine mix of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, dobro & consistently colorful vocals is Country music with no syrup sweetness added, or even moonshine strong but hard cider, the scent of hickory & a face pressed hard & safe against a loving mother’s bosom.
“Followin’ You” features the lead vocal of Maddie Denton, who has the same smooth-as-satin approach often found with Alison Krauss. This song is instantly memorable & well played. For fire & sparks “In Such a Short Time,” burns fast with near-Ralph Stanley infused vocals — as warm as hot fudge on cold vanilla ice cream. Maddie’s fiddle is a fast fuse, Cory’s banjo is an ant hill on sugar, Harry’s mandolin is a hive of bees. The rest of the musicians are equally adept, but I’ve run out of metaphors.
The music’s charm is in the interplay between musicians done with expertise as never to intrude on the vocals but run headlong beside them. East Nash Grass is superb with this application. Even on slower numbers like “The Love We Gave Up,” it has this energy, but on this tune, it’s the vocals that are front & center.
The Alison Krauss comparisons are a compliment because, for some reason, that vocal tonality, range & sincerity mix ideally with the martini that is bluegrass. No showboating or raw presentation. Bluegrass can be as optimistic as Country, or as sad as the blues. It’s all in the deft arrangements & the vocalist is responsible for this type of timbre. The instrumentality is just the type of hats, boots & calico you put on a good song.
Produced by East Nash Grass with Jake Stargel & recorded in Tennessee. It’s a colorful 6-panel CD package with earthtones & illustrations.
Highlights – “All God’s Children,” “Followin’ You,” “In Such a Short Time,” The Love We Gave Up,” Redbird,” & “Jump Through the Window.”
Musicians – Harry Clark (mandolin/lead vocal/harmony), Maddie Denton (fiddle/lead vocal/harmony), James Kee (guitar/lead vocal/harmony), Jeff Partin (bass/lead vocal/harmony), Cory Walker (banjo/harmony), Gaven Largent (dobro), Nash Grier, Jake Stargel & Brenna MacMillan (background vocals).
Color image courtesy of Scott Simontacchi. CD @ https://www.eastnashgrass.com/
