This is the second album release from The Steeldrivers. Entitled Reckless, it serves as the swan song for original guitarist/vocalist Chris Stapleton, who left the group shortly after this album was completed. Gary Nichols has stepped in to fill that spot going forward. That being said, however, Reckless features Stapleton on lead vocals- as well as lead writer. All twelve tracks were co-written by Stapleton; 11 with mandolin player Mike Henderson, and the other with Ronnie Bowman. The rest of the band is intact from its founding: Richard Bailey on banjo, Tammy Rogers on fiddle, Mike Fleming on bass and Henderson on mandolin. Luke Wooten, who produced their Rounder Records debut album in 2008, is back on board as producer here.
The Review
Making his departure all the more awkward, it’s imperative to point out Chris Stapleton's voice, which is riveting and unusual in a bluegrass context: a combination of a sandpaper-roughened bluesy belt that combines with a soulful interpretation of true Appalachian legacy. He’s surrounded by true bluegrass professionals- all accomplished studio players that bring their A-game to this album. The song topics on the album are all fresh takes on traditional bluegrass themes with a flair for the history of the area. “Good Corn Liquor” tells the story of a family down on a luck whose breadwinner is forced to run a secret still on the hillside near their home. As many a bluegrass song do, it ends in tragedy as shots ring out- symbolized in sharp dobro notes. It captures the imagination of the scene in instrumentation- a powerful metaphor indeed. Stapleton plays the protagonist as an old man who’s “felt the heavy hand of time” on “Where Rainbows Never Die.” His voice is convincing singing powerful lyrics of laying his burdens down and portraying the visions of heaven he has for himself. The song “Can You Run” plays time machine in relaying the Civil War from the perspective of a slave and his woman. It’s not only from a historical perspective, but a personal one. “I’ve got to stand up tall before I’m done/Chase these chains of bondage from my tongue.” Stapleton’s great voice conveys emotion and pain in the tale of sorrowful tale of loss on “You Put The Hurt On Me.” And while tracks eight through eleven aren’t as strong as the first half of the album, it ends on a high note with “Ghosts of Mississippi.” It’s a first-person tale of a native bayou boy who “fell asleep with a guitar in my hand” and has the Mississippi ghosts come to him in the middle of his dreams and tell a Delta tale of being forsaken and stuck in a state he doesn’t want to be. It’s a fantastic combination of bluesy bluegrass- a sound the Steeldrivers master like no others. With Stapleton’s departure from the band, Gary Nichols has extremely big shoes to fill. After two outstanding albums under the band’s belt, here’s hoping he’s up to the task.
Sounds Like
If Kid Rock’s voice fronted a bluegrass band
Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
Reckless Side of Me
Good Corn Liquor
Where Rainbows Never Die
Can You Run
You Put The Hurt On Me
Ghosts Of Mississippi
The Verdict:
Four Stars Out Of Five
No comments:
Post a Comment