Search - Uncle Earl :: Raise a Ruckus

A refreshing, natural treat with down-home charm & far-reach

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 11/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 17:08 -- Yes Virginia, the EP (extended play) recording format is still around today despite the virtual disappearance of vinyl. Although CD technology provides greater capacity for music, some groups artistically decide to release a shorter set. This might be to preserve a theme in their music or to not mix apples and oranges. Uncle Earl's 17-minute EP gives us a prelude to a full-length album due out in spring 2005. As a type of demo CD, they chose seven mostly traditional songs to showcase the group's five lead singers and harmony backup. They provide a Sharon Gilchrist original ("Walker"), one minute of original lyrics for a traditional melody ("The Izze Jungle"), and they showcase their old-time instrumental support throughout. Their instrumental "Julianne Johnson" is a high-geared fiddle tune that keeps the rosin a-flyin' from the fiddler's bow.



Uncle Earl is Kristin Andreassen (guitar), Rayna Gellert (fiddle), Sharon Gilchrist (bass, octave mandolin), KC Groves (mandolin, guitar), Abigail Washburn (banjo). Apparently, singer/songwriter Jo Serrapere has moved on to other endeavors. Kristen is the lead vocalist on "Stacker Lee," the story of a murder over a Stetson hat. K.C. sings an old Carter Family (and now Uncle Earl) favorite, "Little Annie." Sharon wrote and sings "Walker" for her grandfather, Ernest Walker, who was apparently an orphan who kept his feet to the ground. A very lean a capella arrangement with only minimal rhythm supports lead singer Abby on "Keys to the Kingdom," a song of optimism and faith learned from a 1937 field recording of Lillie Knox of South Carolina. The title cut, "Raise a Ruckus," is a perfect way to make merry with these gals. That one puts Rayna's vocals in the spotlight as she wails "oh, come on children, come along, while the moon is shining bright, get on the boat, down the river float, gonna raise a ruckus tonight." I get a distinct feeling that the g'Earls like to party. The project closes with everyone singing a jingle for a Boulder, Colorado soft drink company. Special guest Lance Gentry (from the Izze Co.) plays bottle opener, and the jingle is being featured on the company's website at [...].



Just like a fizzy Izze, the music of Uncle Earl is a refreshing, natural treat. Their old-time music is a little blackberry, grapefruit, clementine, and pear. Unlike an Izze, Uncle Earl's music is something to be widely shared because it's simply got down-home charm and far-reaching appeal. (Joe Ross, staff writer for Bluegrass Now, Roseburg, Oregon)

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