On The Short Rows

Might as well blurt it out early: I like this disc a lot.

Infusing old-timey bluegrass with contemporary-radio ready country-rock On The Short Rows Kickin Grass' effusive sophomore disc, lends itself easily to well deserved, repeated listenings. You can feel their onstage exuberance from the kick-off original Lay Down Your Weary Load and the engaging title track (itself an engaging rewrite of the traditional In The Jailhouse Now); through other endearing originals as Fairest Rose and Molly.

The players - Lynda Wittig Dawson - lead vocals, guitar, Jaime Dawson - mandolin, vocals, Ben Walters - banjo, vocals, Patrick Walsh - bass, vocals, and Matt Hooper - fiddle all share in the songwriting and have their hearts in all the right places.

To borrow from the band's PR: Kicking Grass falls perfectly in the space between Earl Scruggs and Bela Fleck But that leads to my disclaimer: Even with all the vibrant a-pickin' 'n' a-playin', high harmonizing and swing,: How is Kicking Grass going to claim that space as their own?

Track List:

Edited by: David N. Pyles
(dnpyles@acousticmusic.com)