CD of the Week April 1-April 7, 2001

Newgrange

Newgrange

Compass Records

Newgrange is a Bluegrass/Newgrass supergroup consisting of Mike Marshall (mandolin/guitar), Darol Anger (fiddle), Tim O’Brien (various instruments/vocals), Todd Phillips (bass), Phillip Aaberg (piano) and Alison Brown (banjo). All of these artists who have successful recording and touring careers came together initially to record a Christmas album. Apparently they had such a good time working on that project that they decided to try another record.

The name is of this band and album is Newgrange and it is hard to explain, but that is really a perfect name for the kind of music they play as well. Their music is heavily rooted in Bluegrass and Newgrass, but is more wide open and expansive. There are also heavy doses of Irish, Gospel and Classical music. It owes as much to Aaron Copeland as it does to Bill Monroe.

The record starts with the traditional folk song, "Handsome Molly", a song also popularized by Bob Dylan. Tim O’Brien formerly of the band Hot Rize takes the lead vocals. The album then veers into instrumental territory with "Sally Ann" which features great picking and fiddling by Mike Marshall and Darol Anger who are both distinguished alumni of David Grisman’s band. What sets this fiddle tune apart from most bluegrass is the presence of the piano. Phillip Aaberg is able to really add to the feel of these tunes with his tasteful, classically based playing.

The band gets achieves a heavy gospel feel on "Rock in a Weary Land". Here Aaberg adapts his piano style perfectly to the gospel tune.

Aaberg also shines on "Cabin Waltz" which is basically chamber music to my ears featuring beautiful fiddle by Darol Anger again.

"Goin’ to Boston" is a humorous rave-up about the famous city that features a rapped monologue about the famous town. O’Brien’s spoken word style on this song owes much to both James Taylor and Bob Dylan.

Alison Brown (who is the founder of Compass Records who put this CD out) leads the way on banjo with the next tune, "Weetabix". The song expertly traverses bluegrass, Irish and Classical music allowing room for all the members of Newgrange to solo.

Also of note on this CD is a cool live version of Tim O’Brien’s "Land’s End". I also want to mention that the cover and packaging are really well done.

Overall, this album is a great tribute to all types of American Music. It mixes styles well without ever sounding forced. This is due largely to the huge pool of individual talents that come together in this band.

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