Backline Turning New Ground
This project is a bluegrass with lots of rural spirit in its mountain music jubilance. While the majority is upbeat, it’s not fiery but accomplished as it warms up to the occasion. Wonderfully skillful performances in the tradition of The Cox Family & some Alison Krauss. The showcase opens with 3 earthy pieces, “No Sense In That,” “Not All Roads” & the pensive “Reaping the Blues,” all sung with the satiny-smooth voice of founding member Katelyn Ingardia (guitar/vocals).
This 10-track Turning New Ground (Drops July 17/Mountain Fever Records/29:39) was produced by South Carolina-based Katelyn Ingardia & Jeff Partin (dobro/guitar/vocals) & recorded in Georgia. The work is exceptional in that the acclaimed bluegrass musicians who are Backline manage to construct these songs, each with its own acquired polish & never sound repetitive or identical. The arrangements are well thought out & applied by the superb players.
While Katelyn’s voice is soft, it’s not as whispery as Alison Krauss’s. But her range & phrasing are impressive. The songs are driven primarily by banjo, mandolin, dobro & guitars, with each instrument taking its turn in the lineup. There’s little here that is hokum or novelty. Each number has its modern jubilance, its melodic durability & never loses its sense of tradition.
Impressive picking comes on “Money” while “Just Country” is more country-oriented & shows Katelyn with a more mainstream vocal sound. Closer to the style Krauss applies. However, “Cold Water” & “Heartbreak Express are not the sound of any other bluegrass artist – it’s all Backline. These have a signature sound, & Katelyn (who sings exceptionally well on the album) outshines herself on these songs.
Highlights – “No Sense In That,” “Not All Roads,” “Reaping the Blues,” “Money,” “Just Country,” “Cold Water,” & “Heartbreak Express.”
Musicians – David Heavner (mandolin/vocals), Jacob Carroll (banjo/vocals), & Chris Williamson (bass).
CD photo courtesy of Cherry Rose Photography. Katelyn image courtesy of Backline’s website. CD @ https://backlinesc2016.com/home