Search - Laurel Canyon Ramblers :: Bacl on the Street Again

Herb Pedersen has been at many progressive country and bluegrass high-water marks: For starters his deft, Scruggs-style banjo and mellow tenor energized classic albums by the Dillards, the Desert Rose Band, and Country Gazette. Four years ago Pedersen formed this borderline bluegrass supergroup with Bill Bryson on bass, Kenny Blackwell on mandolin, Roger Reed on guitar, and teen fiddling star Gabe Witcher. The Ramblers' traditional sound--snug three-part harmonies, fluid interaction of classic bluegrass instrumentation-- balances against the supple innovations of arrangement and song selection. Two contemporary folk songs, "Back on the Street Again" (Steve Gillette) and "You Can Close Your Eyes" (James Taylor), are among the strongest moments on their third album, as are originals such as "Hold On," Pedersen's flowing philosophical tale, and Bryson's spiritual "Move On," graced by Reed's gorgeously simple acoustic guitar work. --Roy Francis Kasten