#steeldrivers

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.

I'm pretty sure white people aren't allowed to write and perform songs about the Black enslaved person's experience in America. And this is sung by Chris Stapleton, who I really like, but I've heard Black critics accuse him of just appropriating Black singing, "blackvoice," as it were.

With all that said, here is a song I as a white guy feel is very powerful, but I know might in fact be some form of well-intentioned, but regardless, minstrelry.

You tell me.

Currently if got SteelDrivers first album playin while I do house chores.