Search - Blue Highway :: Marbletown

A Great Band Still In Full Stride

Mark J. Fowler | Okinawa, Japan | 06/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Blue Highway hit the ground running about ten years ago, and "Marbletown" is reason for Bluegrass fans to rejoice. Guitarist Tim Stafford is a terrific singer and songwriter, as well as ridiculously gifted flatpicker and rhythm guitarist. Mr. Stafford filled that role with Alison Krauss before departing that band to help form Blue Highway, and he helped Alison choose successor Dan Tyminski in Union Station. Shawn Lane plays fiddle, mandolin and guitar that is hot and tasty. He also writes great tunes and lends his angelic tenor voice to Blue Highway's electrifying performances. Rob Ickes is IBMA Dobro Player of the year for about a zillion years in a row. His lead playing is exciting and fresh, and his backup lines are tasty and "just right". Jason Burleson is the banjo-master in Blue Highway, and his playing could be mistaken for the best of Scruggs, Crowe, etc. Mr. Burleson is also a wickedly good mandolinist, guitarist, etc. Wayne Taylor anchors the band with rock-solid bass playing and the most consistently pleasing lead voice in the band. Wayne sings like he's BEEN there, not like he just heard about it, and his pitch and delivery is as smooth as a belt of mountain moonshine.



Marbletown continues Blue Highway's previous efforts in recording predominantly original songs - 10 of the 12 tunes here were written by band members. The opening "Marbletown" also continues the Blue Highway theme of chronicling the often hazardous lifestyle around coal mining communities - Marbletown refers to a tombstone studded graveyard. The song shifts through several themes with haunting lyrics and instrumentation with a recurrent coda: "We've got a man down here, we've got a man down..." "Lazarus" is a crackling good gospel quartet number that includes fluorishes like harmonized humming during an instrumental break. "Nothing But a Whippoorwill" is another stunner - maybe the strongest tune of the collection - and adding another great entry to the cannon of songs about quarrelling and murdering lovers. "Tears Fell On Missouri" is a song of sad misery that would perhaps be maudlin if not for the plaintive vocals of Shawn Lane's tenor and Highway's trademark harmony and chord progressions.



A short digression: Although all of Blue Highway's members are born and bred Bluegrassers - overflowing with the canon of Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs and Stanley - they bring this music to another level. The harmonies are layered and beautiful. The instrumental work is thrilling and interesting. The arrangements don't just plod along.



There are only a handful of Bluegrass Bands that deserve to be mentioned in the same phrase as "Blue Highway". Gentlemen - you have done well. Again."

Hot bluegrass

A. King | Washington, DC | 06/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"let me tell you, this is some hot bluegrass. these guys find ways to be creative with the classic licks and encompass modern songs into the bluegrass style. there are few bands that i know i'm always going to get a cd with innovation and drive. blue highway is one of them."

Best Yet!

Ted Hart | Louisville, KY United States | 06/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't improve on Mark Fowler's review, only add my hearty "AMEN." It seemed necessary to include my opinion to counter the ridiculous 2-star review of this CD. My favorites on this disc are too numerous to list, they're ALL SO GOOD. These guys are impeccable instrumentalists and vocalists with some of the most soul stirring harmonies one could ever hope to hear. But it's not just sterile, flawless technique. The music has heart. Their songwriting continues to be inspired. It's about time Blue Highway got more of the attention that they deserve."