With Rob Ickes (dobro),
John Reischman (mandolin), Darol Anger and Greg Spatz (fiddle), Jim
Nunally and Nina Gerber (guitar), Missy Raines and Todd Phillips (bass)
and Steve Smith (mandola). On "Heavy Traffic Ahead," Don
Rigsby (vocal), Glen Duncan (fiddle), Mike Compton (mandolin), Chris
Sharp (guitar) and Mike Bub (bass).
Bill Evans has created
an instrumental masterpiece and the only problem is that the title,
"Bill Evans Plays Banjo," is only half the story. Plenty of pickers
play banjo, and play it well, but very few can compose with the range,
depth, beauty and creativity of Evans. His 1996 album, "Native & Fine,"
was stunning for similar reasons. Evans manages to compose and play
music that is readily embraced by traditionalists, but also appeals
to progressive newgrass-types, a rare ability. But with "'Plays Banjo,"
Evans has surpassed the extraordinary standard he set with that earlier
disc, his writing now even more innovative, assured and original,
and still, somehow, unmistakably bluegrass. His ability to pull from
myriad musical sources for inspiration and distill elements of jazz,
rock, classical, you-name-it down to their essential truths, and spin
those truths into beguiling bluegrass compositions and riveting banjo
solos places him in the ranks of the greats. It's no wonder that his
elite sidemen and women likewise sound inspired to deliver their best,
for who would want to be remembered as the weak link on an album certain
to be viewed in the future as a classic. Bravo Bill!
David
Royko,
The Chicago Tribune
Its Good.
Sonny
Osborne
Preview these Tracks:
Germaine's
Dream (mp3-3.67MB)
Meadows
of Dan (mp3-1.29MB) Bill
Evans, Fifth Child Music, BMI The first part of this tune reminded
me of something that Sammy Shelor might play, so I named this tune
after his hometown of Meadows of Dan, Virginia. The second part ventures
into more Bela-like territory.
Lonesome
Polka (mp3-.432MB) Bill Evans, Fifth
Child Music, BMI A minor key variation on The Clarinet Polka.
Like that tune, this one is also a real finger buster!
