#delfest

Song Review: The String Cheese Incident feat. Billy Strings - “Black Clouds” (Live, May 24, 2019)

Hoping to have their and the audience’s “minds blown,” the String Cheese Incident invited Billy Strings to join them under “Black Clouds” at DelFest 2019.

The resulting 14-minute pickathon as captured on pro-shot video fulfilled its aspirational duty as it traversed myriad soundscapes SCI knows well. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this Strings Cheese Incident is the way it explores theretofore uncharted nooks and crannies without getting bogged down in a search for novel musical scenery.

Ever egalitarian, String Cheese allows Strings to share vocals with Keith Moseley. And while it is a selfless move, this performance is about the aural journey between verses.

Strings trades lighting-fast acoustic licks with Bill Nershi to kick off the adventure and does it again toward the end. Michael Kang follows each wooden excursion with cracking runs on electric mandolin as the SCI rhythm section steers the lead players over steep climbs and rapid descents with fluidity to match the soloists.

Minds blown?

Check.

Grade card: The String Cheese Incident feat. Billy Strings - “Black Clouds” (Live - 5/24/19) - A-

DelFest 2019 Starts Today - Last Set of Recommendations

Front Country – “If Something Breaks”

DelFest - OEB Score: 6

Pairs Well With… Dixie Chicks, Fleetwood Mac

San Francisco natives Front Country describes their music as the intersection of indie-folk and Americana but their music has also been called “string-band pop.” Whatever it is, it’s definitely not your grandpa’s bluegrass or folk band. Front Country includes the powerful vocals of singer-songwriter and guitarist Melody Walker, mandolinist Adam Roszkiewicz, guitarist Jacob Groopman, bassist Jeremy Darrow and violinist Leif Karlstrom.  Walker complains that their home state doesn’t get its due as an incubator of country, bluegrass and roots music, noting that Merle Haggard and Buck Owens were Californians.  Their second record, Other Love Songs, was released in 2017 is a collection of, not surprisingly mostly serious love songs, with standouts including “If Something Breaks” and “I Don’t Wanna Die Angry.”  But the band’s whimsical side is most apparent on their cover songs, which are creative reimagining of pop and rock tunes.  Some are more successful than others, but it would be fun to hear them play their version of Kenny Rodgers’ “Just Dropped In” or Tom Petty’s “Don’t Do Me Like That.”  And if you get a chance, ask Melody what’s up with the cool Viking helmet in the video.

Ricky Skaggs & the Kentucky Thunder – “Ralph Stanley Tribute”

DelFest - OEB Score: 9

Pairs Well With…Ralph Stanley, Randy Travis, Sam Bush

While OEB loves festivals for discovering new artists, there is also the pleasure in the opportunity to see a music legend that you might not otherwise have sought out.  Well, DelFest is obliging.  Country and bluegrass royalty, Ricky Skaggs and his Kentucky Thunder will be playing on Sunday evening, just before Del McCoury’s last performance.  Skaggs’ journey began at a young age.  Raised on bluegrass, he played with Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys.  But Skaggs is better known for his many mainstream country hits “Highway 40 Blues,” “I Wouldn’t Change You if I Could,” “Love Can’t Get Better Than This,” and “Country Boy,” among others.  But later in his career, Skaggs has turned back to bluegrass with both renditions of classics and some fun with some odd collaborations such as a bluegrass cover of Rick James’ “Super Freak” with Bruce Hornsby.  Because it’s a bluegrass festival after all, we’ve provided a long set of his Ralph Stanley covers but we’re hoping he’ll mix up his set with songs from across his long and storied career.

Po’ Ramblin’ Boys – “Next Train South”

DelFest - OEB Score: 7

Pairs Well With… Bill Monroe, Stanley Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs

The two apostrophes in their name are a pretty good clue that that the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys play a hard-edged, hard-driving style of traditional bluegrass delivered the old-time way.  Their outfits, song choices, and picking, fiddling, and strumming styles make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. This East Tennessee band includes C.J. Lewandowski on mandolin, Jereme Brown on banjo, Josh Rinkel on guitar, and Jasper Lorentzen on bass with three members sharing vocal duties. With a heavy touring schedule across the United States and Europe and a new contract with Rounder Records, the Po Ramblin’ Boys are clearly well on their way to carrying the torch for bluegrass.   “Next Train South” is a good example of their style but pick any song really will give you a sense of the pocket they play in. Their first album, Their Back to the Mountains provides an equal dose of honky-tonk and high lonesome but its their energy and enthusiasm for the genre that makes them worth seeing.

Darin & Brooke Aldridge – “Every Time You Leave”

DelFest 2019 - OEB Score: 6

Pairs Well With… Kate Wolf, Bobby Lord/Patsy Cline duets, The Country Gentlemen

Pretty, plaintive harmonies capture what husband and wife duo Darin & Brooke Aldridge do. Their 2017 album, Faster & Farther, matches their strong clear voices with a strong picking band.  They grew up in North Carolina towns infused with country, gospel,  and bluegrass musical roots.  They met through family and friends in church and a musical friendship grew into something more.  While their music range and subject matter has broadened from its gospel roots, they stay true to their commitment to offering songs of hope, aspiration, and love. We featured “Every Time You Leave,” a sad country ballad that harkens back to the classic male/female country tunes of old.  “Sacred Lamb” from Faster and Faster captures their gospel  spirit whereas “Cumberland Plateau” features bluegrass picking over country-infused vocals.

DelFest 2019 OEB Recommendations - Part 3

The Kruger Brothers – “Outstanding”

DelFest 2019 - OEB Score: 7

Pairs Well With… Doc Watson, Flatt & Scruggs

Jens and Uwe Kruger blend bluegrass music with their European classical music education.  Aas boys, the brothers were exposed to a wide range of music but they were inspired by the bluegrass greats. Teamed up with bass player Joel Landsberg, they are based in Wilkesboro, N.C.   Their concerts range from back-porch picking to elaborate collaborations symphonies orchestras.  Above all, they are consummate musicians the discipline and complexity of classical music to their original work.   But while discerning, there is nothing pretentious about their approach.  They are truly fans who became masters. 

Railroad Earth – “Storms”

DelFest 2019 - OEB Score: 6

Pairs Well With… Grateful Dead, Yonder Mountain String Band

Railroad Earth is still recovering from the untimely death of their cofounder, Andy Goessling, in 2018. However, the now quintet, continues to come tour and has been experimenting with different guest musicians at their live shows, adding some new takes on their substantial catalog.  And though they’ve reportedly recorded new music, it has not been released yet so they are still playing a lot of their Captain Nowhere album. Hopefully, will we’ll heart the poignant “Storms,” this reviewer’s favorite off that record. Railroad Earth has always been hard to categorize because of their wide range and there steadfast resistance to labels. Souped-up string band is as a good a label as any but expect a lot of improvisation wrapped around strong songwriting, and singing along from their dedicated “Hobo” fan base.

The SteelDrivers – “Long Way Down”

DelFest 2019 - OEB Score: 6

Pairs Well With…Chris Stapleton, Old Crow Medicine Show, Town Mountain

The SteelDrivers have been described as “power-bluegrass” or “country soul.” Their sounds fluctuates between Muscle Shoals swampy blues and a more traditional high and lonesome sound.  For starters, listen to “River Runs Red,” a beautiful and somber Civil War story and then transition to “Long Way Down” for their bluegrassy country blues side.  Despite a changing lineup over the last ten years, the SteelDrivers continue to play gutsy and gritty music that has drawn a dedicated fan base.  Be prepared to meet some of these self-proclaimed “SteelHeads,” who reportedly travel hundreds of miles to see them.

DelFest is almost here! One of my favorite times of year. It’s practically in my backyard! A weekend of music is always what I need.

If you are searching for free festival parking that is close to the festival grounds, send me a DM and I’ll hook yah up!