Search - Jesse Brock :: Kickin Grass

A grandificent album that delivers a big kick in the pants

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 02/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since he began performing professionally at age nine, Jesse Brock has built a reputation as a young man who gets the job done. He's clearly got a lot of musical savy. Two-thirds of the cuts on Jesse Brock's debut release, "Kickin' Grass," are real jammin' instrumental dazzlers. They include originals (Kickin' Grass, Lil' Ben), a traditional cross-picked offering (Home Sweet Home), and tunes from David McLaughlin (Georgia Stomp, Maury River Blues), Frank Wakefield (New Camptown Races), Jimmy Martin/Harold Donny (Red Rooster), and Ron Stewart/Slavek Hanzlik (Roadrunner). By the third cut on this album, "You're the Best of all the Leading Brands," Jesse is sharing lead vocals with Alan O'Bryant on a song he learned from an album released in the 1970s by Lester Flatt and Mac Wiseman. Brock also does a fine job on lead vocals on "She's No Angel," and "The Girl in the Blue Velvet Band," and "Mother Knows Best." Over the years, Jesse Brock has cut his teeth in his family's band, then Stonewall Bluegrass, Chris Jones and the Night Drivers, and Lynn Morris' band, which he currently tours with. Kickin' Grass is a splendid showcase of Brock's singing and mandolin picking, with good song selection and accompaniment. Guests include some pretty classy pickers in their own right: Jason Moore (bass), Ron Stewart (banjo, guitar, fiddle, vocals), Tom Adams (banjo), Jason Carter (fiddle), Rob Ickes (resophonic guitar), Marshall Wilborn (bass), Alan O'Bryant (vocals), Wayne Taylor (vocals), Lynn Morris (clawhammer banjo), David McLaughlin (snare drum on "Red Rooster"), and Jim Hurst (guitar). This is a grandificent album of 'grass that delivers a real big kick in the pants. Pick one up, and I'll think you'll be pleased too. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)"