Following on from 2002's critically acclaimed "Rattlesnake Tidal Wave"
comes the Foghorn String Band's second album, "Reap What You Sow". Although
ostensibly based in Portland, Oregon their brand of music is more usually
associated with the Appalachians on the other side of the country.
Gid Tanner's "Georgia Railroad" sets the ball rolling for what turns out to
be a hugely enjoyable three quarters of an hour of old time and bluegrass
music. Stephen "Sammy" Lind (fiddle) and The Rev. P.T. Grover Jr (banjo)
dominate the sound, driving things along with stellar support from Caleb
Klauder (mandolin), Kevin Sandri (guitar) and Brian Bagdonas (string bass).
Throw in some fine harmony vocals to top it all off and you have the recipe
for success.
The album is largely dominated by uptempo numbers, including an excellent
rendition of Dock Boggs' "Danville Girl", that are guaranteed to set your
toes a-tapping. The slower numbers, which include the Carter family's waltz
"Charlie and Nellie", allow the older folks (and the band!) to get their
breath back. The change in tempo makes no difference to the quality of the
music, though. It is all top notch stuff right through to the closing cover
of the Carter family's "Sow 'em On The Mountain" which will have you
singing along in no time.
"Reap What You Sow" is a cracking album recorded by a very fine band. The
fact that all of the songs were recorded with the band sat around a single
microphone in the studio, shows what a tight unit they are. The most
obvious latter day reference points are "O! Brother Where Art Thou" and, in
the UK, bands like Glasgow's Moonshiners. The CD sleeve notes that this is
the "First Printing of 3000"; on this evidence, they are going to need
several more!
