Search - Grascals :: Grascals

Great Modern Bluegrass

James E. Bagley | Sanatoga, PA USA | 02/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The traditional banjo/fiddle hoedown "Sally Goodin" reveals serious bluegrass chops, but The Grascals - who served as Dolly Parton's backing band on her recent tour - make clear on their self-titled debut album that they're comfortable in a range of settings. They can segue, for instance, easily from the sentimental boyhood-buddy ballad "Me And John And Paul" to an Irish-based instrumental fling.



Among the newer bluegrass ensembles, they don't adhere to genre patriarch Bill Monroe's style like King Wilkie does. Rather, progressive bluegrass' Osborne Brothers are amore direct influence. Bobby Osborne even plays mandolin on the album opener, the old Osborne song "Leavin's Heavy On My Mind." Lead single Terry Eldredge is generally confident and competent throughout, though he doesn't quite penetrate the depths of "Lonely Street" (previously a hit for both Rex Allen Jr. and Andy Williams).



Their leadoff single, a rousing cover of Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas," features an awesome solo by Dolly. Like Parton, their music often retrenches to its roots, "the dusty fields where daddy worked hard every day." Yes, they can be corny. And they know that strength awaits in leaving glitzy places "Where Corn Don't Grow" to return to "Where I Come From."

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Potential top ten bluegrass favorite album for 2005

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 03/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After a couple listens to The Grascals' debut CD, I was convinced that this album would be among my top ten favorites this year. Besides great music, the band is a cohesive and collaborative unit built around six talented friends who share common goals. The group members have had previous professional experience with The Osborne Brothers, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, Dolly Parton's Blue-niques, The Sidemen, and many country music superstars. You won't find much better musicians with consummate bluegrass (and country) sensibilities than The Grascals' Terry Eldredge (lead vocals, guitar), Jimmy Mattingly (fiddle), David Talbot (banjo, vocals), Jamie Johnson (guitar, vocals), Danny Roberts (mandolin) and Terry Smith (bass). Dolly Parton invited The Grascals to open all concerts on her Hello, I'm Dolly tour in the fall of 2004, as well as to join other musicians backing up Dolly each evening.



Opening with some lonesome fiddle on the Osborne Brothers' "Leavin's Heavy on my Mind," Bobby Osborne's guest mandolin playing is also a nice addition to that track. "Mourning Dove" is a Jamie Johnson's high-stepping romp with blazing fiddle, mandolin and banjo. Johnson also sings lead on it. These six guys are superior instrumentalists, and every solo resonates with some hot licks. Crisp, clean rhythm guitar and deep resonating bass fill out their sound. "Bevans Lake Crossing" is an Irish jig that takes the high road as it evolves into a reel.



The Grascals don't push the envelope too far from conventional traditional bluegrass orthodoxy when they take on more standard fare. As a definite strength, these bluegrass phenoms know exactly what a song requires. They take liberty to change a few words in "Teardrops in my Eyes," and some work better than others. For example, it makes more sense to say, as the song was written, "why I cry with these teardrops in my eye," rather than "why I try." I can't say why they made that change, but Eldredge still delivers it in a gutsy, high-lonesome manner. "Sally Goodin" is a right pert, albeit standard, rendition of this fiddle tune, and the band incorporates the minor chord eventually for a little excitement. "My Saro Jane," recorded by Flatt & Scruggs about 1959, is an enjoyable reminder that "there's nothin' to do but sit around and sing." "Sweet By and By" is an excellent way to close the album with some understated, respectful instrumental work that doesn't detract from the song's inspirational message. The Grascals simply have good taste when it comes to arrangements, techniques employed, and musicianship.



The Grascals' contemporary material allows them to take more risks. Some light percussion (Tom Roady) and pedal steel (Lloyd Green) embellish Harley Allen's "Me and John and Paul," a ballad about some of the "best friends you ever saw, all for one, one for all." Another standout, "Where I Come From," is built around the common bluegrass theme of longing for home, and the song's bridge gives it a nice change of pace as Jamie Johnson delivers the lead vocals in fine fashion. Another gripping tale of hard roads and dusty fields is "Where Corn Don't Grow," which has some guest dobro played by Andy Hall, as well as Terry Crisp's steel guitar. Bobby Osborne sings on "Some Things I Want to Sing About." The Grascals' bluegrass cover of "Lonely Street" tells us where to go when you need a place to weep, where broken dreams and memories meet. Finally, "Viva Las Vegas" includes special guest vocalist Dolly Parton and some of Bob Mater's drumming.



From traditional to contemporary, The Grascals certainly don't disappoint us with their broad selection of material that will appeal to many tastes. In fact, there are no-holds-barred vocals, tasteful instrumental work, and an overall sound that just about jumps out of the speakers. I personally enjoy an eclectic set of bluegrass with a few countryish (and even Celtic or old-time) twists, and that's why I dig this masterful band. Others might find them a little too diverse or attempting to be too universal. Not me! The Grascals are very discriminating, well-rounded and resourceful performers with a high degree of showmanship and entertainment value. I understand that Jamie even does Elvis Presley impersonations. Like the song "Viva Las Vegas" states, I think they "shoot a seven with every shot." (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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Very promising

FACM French Association of Country | Lyon, France | 02/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is some discovery. Sure, Bluegrass-style bands come by the dozen but this one is really worth the trip. The Grascals consist of six musicians, performing 13 superb songs. The voices, as so often in bluegrass, sound impressively right but the individual level of the musicians is also excellent. A kind of Union Station 2! Note Dolly Parton's participation in "Viva las Vegas". All the melodies are splendid from "Mourning Dove" to the traditionnal "Sweet By And By". A lot of energy, traditional country music, modern sound, the perfect example to bring people to bluegrass or, as they themselves say: "Nashville bluegrass". The album was produced by the Grascals themselves, and they are no doubt a promising band on which to count in the future.

FACM ( French Association of Country Music - )



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