JERRY DOUGLAS —TRAVELER (Sugar Hill Records)

[Maurice Hope]

http://www.sugarhillrecords.com

Jerry Douglas' varied and eclectic taste (yes, he is the same guy whom with Scottish fiddler Aly Bain co-hosts BBC4’s Transatlantic Sessions) in part is what keeps his music so amazingly, sharp plus, he has a number of guests join him. As people ranging from Dr. John (piano), Bela Fleck (banjo), Sam Bush (harmony vocals, mandolin), Omar Hakim (drums) and Victor Krauss among others play with him and there are a handful of vocal tracks too. 

 

Of the latter we have a mighty version of Paul Simon’s ‘The Boxer’ that not only has Mumford & Sons lend vocal support but with nice touches on banjo to go with a solid rhythm and of course dobro but the great man (Simon) also lend support. For company in the vocal department, bluesman Keb Mo’ offers the funky, soulful ‘High Blood Pressure’ (c/w female harmonies) while Marc Cohn eases through the soul-bearing, peaceful and conversational as an early summer’s morning ‘Right On Time’. A reflective piece it isn’t out of place alongside others of the nature. As in Alison Krauss’ tender singing of ‘Frozen Fields’ which also sees Krauss’ band Union Station (of which JD has been an honourable member since 1998) plus, you have Eric Clapton add some muscle to the r&b classic ‘Something You Got’ and Jerry make his recording debut singing lead on a workingman-like ‘On A Monday’ (Leadbelly). The Clapton effort awash in fine lead electric guitar, piano and brass is a stirring affair; a humdinger. As are Douglas’ new set of instrumentals!

 

Of which ‘So Here We Are’ contains a fusion of electric guitar, and a pounding soul based rhythm enough to set your heart jumping as Douglas spreads the net. While of a more familiar feel the album offers a bluegrass fired ‘Duke And Cookie’ and ‘Gone To Fortingall’ which simultaneously weaves in some roving aspects too. When it comes to beauty and lazy melodious rolls on the Dobro Douglas offers a lesson of master craft dimensions when he performs, solo instrumental versions of Simon’s ‘Americana Tune / Chick Corea’s ‘Spain’ that has him ignite the torch somewhat. As he also does on the ‘flash of fire’ playing on the fiddle, mandolin, banjo fired ‘King Silkie’ played in style that takes one back to his earlier days to when, he was with J.D Crowe's New South (such his thirst to play). Now that is a while ago!                                                                              Maurice Hope