Search - Chris Stuart :: Saints and Strangers

Well-written and arranged eclectic Americana offerings

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 05/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 42:39

Songs - Silver Quarter, Jimmie Brown Revisited, From Now On, Saints and Strangers, Buckshot, This Body Is A Honky-Tonk, Paul and Peter Walked, Lonesome For You, Searching For My Old Kentucky Home, His Glory Will Last, Just Tell A Lie, Twenty Naked Pentecostals In A Pontiac



You gotta love the contemporary bluegrass music of Chris Stuart and Backcountry. Like Bill Monroe, he's got a quarter in his hand, a bluegrass band in his heart, and his soul will sing forever like a blue Kentucky man. These words, in his opening cut of "Silver Quarter" explain his approach to his personalized Americana music. A good song's gotta tell a story too. Ever wonder what happened to the newsboy, Jimmie Brown, the skantily-clad barefoot kid who sold the "Morning Star"? Unless you can find a copy of the "Gospel News" that tells a different story, I think that Chris Stuart does a great job answering the question in "Jimmie Brown Revisited." The title cut, "Saints and Strangers," is a 6-minute Stuart ballad that tells of the settlers heading for America aboard the Mayflower, and Janet Beazley's whistles impart a very Celtic influence to the piece. With strong songs like these, one can see why Stuart was selected as an IBMA showcase songwriter in 2003, as well as being a former winner in both the bluegrass and gospel categories at the Merlefest songwriting contest. He even shows his skill at turning a lyrical country phrase with "This Body is a Honky Tonk," and penning a Cajun novelty number that was featured on National Public Radio's Car Talk show, "Twenty Naked Pentecostals in a Pontiac."



Stuart's proficient accompanists in his band, Backcountry, also add some solid banjo, resonator guitar, and upright bass. Banjo-player Janet Beazley penned and sings lead on "From Now On" and "Just Tell A Lie." Her banjo picking provides nice lively rhythms and fills. Resonator guitarist Ivan Rosenberg is well-known for his work with the Montana-based bluegrass bands, The Rank Strangers and Nine Pound Hammer, as well as for his own CDs, "The Lost Coast" and "Back to the Pasture." Ivan's self-penned instrumental tune, "Buckshot," is a tribute to Buck Graves and Shot Jackson. He also offers exciting clawhammer banjo, found in the mix on the title cut along with Beazley's 5-string to give the song a strong flavor of tossing and turning in the ocean's bowl. Bassist Dean Knight sings lead on Jeff Harvey's bouncy bluegrass number, "Lonesome For You." Special guests on 1-3 tracks each include Jeff Harvey (mandolin), Eric Uglam (guitar), Jason Mowery (fiddle), Tom Sauber (fiddle, Cajun triangle), Patrick Sauber (accordion), and Roger Gillespie (percussion).



Bluegrass discophiles, take note of "Saints and Strangers." These 12 songs are predominantly hard-driving contemporary bluegrass, but you've got to appreciate the album's three Cs - Celtic, Cajun and Country - influences too. Chris Stuart and Backcountry are musical phenoms that continue to turn heads with their well-written and arranged eclectic Americana offerings. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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