It's been over 30 years since
J.D. Crowe laid down his legendary newgrass in the mid-'70s with
Tony Rice, a lively mix of old and
new acoustic music. Few groups sound this fresh today, and even
Crowe leans much closer to tradition on Lefty's Old Guitar. Banjoist
Crowe is joined by mandolinist
Dwight McCall, guitarist
Ricky Wasson, fiddler
Ron Stewart, and bassist
Harold Nixon on a dozen tradition-based songs that clock in at 34 minutes.
Wasson handles most of the lead vocals, and his tone and range are vaguely reminiscent of
Rice's; his depth and resonance add a bit of
folk grit to ballads like "In My Next Life." He's usually joined by
Crowe and
McCall on the choruses, creating a rich harmonic mix and upping the emotional ante. In two instances,
Crowe and
the New South vary the mandolin/guitar/banjo arrangements, on "Lefty's Old Guitar" and "She Knows When You're on My Mind Again," adding
Doug Jernigan's pedal steel. This adds a definite
country flavor without really altering the band's
bluegrass approach. For old fans and anyone who enjoys solid
bluegrass performed with lots of feeling, Lefty's Old Guitar shows
J.D. Crowe & the New South in good form. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide
