Knee Deep in Bluegrass: The AcuTab Sessions

Amazon.com
Before this CD, AcuTab was known for its bluegrass tablature transcription books, but now it seems it may have a future in recordings as well. Conceived by AcuTab president John Lawless, the simple idea behind this project was to grab a varied bunch of musicians featured in the company's books and throw them together in a studio. The supremely talented men who contribute to these 14 songs may not be known to casual bluegrass fans, but they will be very familiar to hard-core fans who've been following the genre's development since the '90s. Blue Highway's guitarist Tim Stafford spearheaded the music and welcomed standouts from across the bluegrass world. Highlights are plentiful: Stafford and the Lonesome River Band's Kenny Smith offer a tasteful guitar duet on "Angeline the Baker." Terry Baucom's title track is a burning, straightforward breakdown boasting hot licks from Baucom on banjo, Alan Bibey's mandolin, Stafford's guitar, and Ron Stewart's fiddle. Stewart and banjo man Sammy Shelor (also of the Lonesome River Band) enjoy a blistering romp through "Turkey in the Straw." Two eclectic banjo pickers, Tony Trischka and Scott Vestal, offer suitably crafty instrumentals that still maintain the down-home spirit of the affair while veteran five-stringers Alan Munde (leading a quintet through "Four Leaf Clover") and Pete Wernick (on a solo reading of "Little Liza Jane") produce jaunty little gems as well. --Marc Greilsamer

Tracks:

Lonesome Wind - Ronnie Bowman/Dan Tyminski/Sammy Shelor/Adam Steffey/Ron Stewart/Kenny Smith/Barry Bales
Angeline The Baker - Tim Stafford/Kenny Smith
Knee Deep In Bluegrass - Terry Baucom/Alan Bibey/Ron Stewart/Tim Stafford/Barry Bales
Benny McCoy - Alan O'Bryant/Joe Mullins/Wayne Benson/Ron Stewart/Tim Stafford/Jason Moore
Turkey In The Straw - Sammy Shelor/Ron Stewart
Carter's Blues - Butch Baldassari/Wayne Benson/Alan Bibey/Joe Mullins/Tim Stafford/Jason Moore
Buffalo Creek - Tony Trischka/Adam Steffey/Ron Stewart/Tim Stafford/Barry Bales
Pretty Boy Floyd - Tim Stafford/Rock Ickes
Golden Slippers - Butch Baldassari/Wayne Benson/Alan Bibey/Tim Stafford/Jason Moore
By Stealth - Scott Vestal/Wayne Benson/Rob Ickes/Tim Stafford/Jason Moore
Home Run Man - Mark Newton/Dan Tyminski/Terry Baucom/Alan Bibey/Ron Stewart/Tim Stafford/Barry Bales
Four Leaf Clover - Alan Munde/Wayne Benson/Rob Ickes/Tim Stafford/Jason Moore
Little Liza Jane - Pete Wernick
Daddy's Dream - Sammy Shelor/Adam Steffey/Ron Stewart/Tim Stafford/Barry Bales

Amazon.com

Before this CD, AcuTab was known for its bluegrass tablature transcription books, but now it seems it may have a future in recordings as well. Conceived by AcuTab president John Lawless, the simple idea behind this project was to grab a varied bunch of musicians featured in the company's books and throw them together in a studio. The supremely talented men who contribute to these 14 songs may not be known to casual bluegrass fans, but they will be very familiar to hard-core fans who've been following the genre's development since the '90s. Blue Highway's guitarist Tim Stafford spearheaded the music and welcomed standouts from across the bluegrass world. Highlights are plentiful: Stafford and the Lonesome River Band's Kenny Smith offer a tasteful guitar duet on "Angeline the Baker." Terry Baucom's title track is a burning, straightforward breakdown boasting hot licks from Baucom on banjo, Alan Bibey's mandolin, Stafford's guitar, and Ron Stewart's fiddle. Stewart and banjo man Sammy Shelor (also of the Lonesome River Band) enjoy a blistering romp through "Turkey in the Straw." Two eclectic banjo pickers, Tony Trischka and Scott Vestal, offer suitably crafty instrumentals that still maintain the down-home spirit of the affair while veteran five-stringers Alan Munde (leading a quintet through "Four Leaf Clover") and Pete Wernick (on a solo reading of "Little Liza Jane") produce jaunty little gems as well. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Bluegrass Homerun.......2003-06-06

In the simple, traditional style of Bill Monroe and others from the beginnngs of Bluegrass, the Acu-Tab Sessions produces an excellent collection of country and bluegrass favorites. With haunting arrangements and talented performers, the entire album comes across as a winner from the first to last track. Of special interest is the slightly different take of the ballad "Pretty Boy Floyd" and the excellent storytelling in "Benny McCoy". The vocals are well-balanced and the instrumentals great. An enjoyable offering for the die-hard fan or the casual listener.

new to bluegrass.......2002-09-23

Not overpowering, but is complex, and nicely varied. An easy listen,even for non core bluegrass fans. refreshingly light,airy.

Awesome.......2001-10-23

One of the best bluegrass CD's cut this year!!

Bluegrass Classic.......2000-07-13

This CD is a Bluegrass Classic! What a wonderful song selction and excellent interplay between the musicians.This is Bluegrass for everyone.

Music Album:

Music Album