Search - Kristin Scott Benson :: Straight Paths

Fiery, crisp, exciting playing......

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

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Only in her mid-twenties, Kristin Scott Benson is another example of how women are demonstrating that bluegrass is truly a multi-gender music with appeal for all generations, young and old. With crisp, exciting playing, she and her four professional sidemen (Wayne Benson on mandolin, Mickey Harris on bass, Jim Hurst on guitar, and Jim VanCleve on fiddle) serve up some mighty fiery picking on this all-instrumental project. Her opening original, "The Hunt" is a real-hot ripper, while she also shows that she knows how to tastefully pick a five-string on J.R. Shannon's slower "That's An Irish Lullaby." Kristin uses an open C tuning for "Foggy Mountain Rock" and her original "Joe & Smokey." The latter, along with "The Woodchopper's Reel," demonstrate her expert proficiency with melodic playing. From a musical family, she acknowledges her grandfather for introducing her to songs like "Just Because" and the Delmore Brothers' "Put Me on the Trail to Carolina." She dedicates "Sally Ann" to her grandmother. Her self-penned title cut, "Shining Paths," closes the album on a slower note that thanks God for showing His straight paths. Playing banjo since age 13, Kristin's musical talent matured quickly. She is certainly not "wet behind the ears," having appeared on several recordings, touring with Larry Stephenson and Laurie Lewis, and currently playing with Sally Jones and the Sidewinders. This solo project is a splendid collection of banjo instrumentals, both fast and slow, that demonstrate great technique and solid accompaniment. It's a wonderful showcase of her talent and skill. We'll be hearing a lot more about Kristin Scott Benson. She's part of the future of bluegrass music. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)"