Blue Barry – Smoky Mountain
Blues Society
Otis Taylors new CD “Recapturing
the Banjo” is a must have masterpiece.
This ain’t no bluegrass CD either. No Bill Monroe, Alison Krauss, or the Foggy
Mountain Boys. This is real banjo from
the old days in the old style. Of course
there are a few new flings as well. Music
like this was probably last heard during the Civil War on a daily basis. Maybe even into the 20’s in the hill
country, but that’s about it. A resurrection
of sorts in the 30’s and then folk era of the 60’s, but this is great
stuff. All old time, frailing style of
banjo with serious overlapping African rhythms. Many instruments are added as well, and all tastefully. Even electric guitar, slide, drums, horns, piano,
and stuff I don’t know what it is. I
absolutely love this CD. I have played
it 50 times and can’t get enuf. Otis Taylor
is a phenomenal musician with a sense of history and a desire to teach the rest
of us something about it. This will
change your ideas about banjo and contemporary music, as well as take you back
to some serious roots. There are 14
cuts on the CD. Everyone is a strong,
but the first 3 are phenomenal. Otis
could stand on his own, but he’s not that selfish here. Just check out the talent he has
contributing to this fabulous mix. Guy Davis, Keb Mo, Corey Harris, Alving
Youngblood Hart, and Don Vappie. There
are so many different styles of banjo offered here that you may not even hear
the banjo in some tunes. Again I say,
no clawhammer bluegrass. We even have
some Muddy Waters and a Jimi Hendrix tune on here that are just wonderful. “Hey Joe” is great. I’m not kidding. Go out and get this one.
The quality of the recording is just great. The music and musicians are phenomenal. The groove, and vibe of this thing will strike a new chord in
your head. Refreshing, old, yet
new. I love stuff like this. It expands your musical horizons, opens up
your head, and makes you day simply way better. Many days in my case. “Recapturing
The Banjo” well I reckon. Enjoy. One Love..........your friend..........blue
barry