Nate Leath & Friemds "Volume 2" reviews
Nate Leath has always had the chops. A boyhood of fiddlers’ conventions in North Carolina brought him to maturity with a mastery of bluegrass fiddle; study at Berklee further developed his technique in other genres. He has also become a wonderful old time fiddler. In a time when everyone seems to be pushed into boxes of this genre or that, Nate has pursued music without boundaries. His range of technical mastery is always in service to the music. And that is what traditional fiddlers have always done: understand the music of the past and take part in its evolution in their own time.
The explosive opening track of this album (a Nate Leath original) blends the sounds of Eastern Kentucky with a Celtic twist that, for me, evokes Cape Breton. And so commences a voyage of discovery into the elements that make traditional music, of whatever genre, so compelling, Traveling on through traditional tunes from sources such as Clyde Davenport and Tommy Jarrell, ballads from the Carter Family and Texas Gladden, there is a respect for tradition from several generations. Cellist Rashad Eggleston, especially playing Plank Road classics with Andy Williams, evokes that seminal string band of the 1970’s that featured cellist Michael Kott. But the cello, like Nate’s fiddling, takes this appreciation and understanding of music from the past to launch new rhythmic and harmonic adventures. A stellar group of musicians from the old time and bluegrass world demolish the stereotypes of genre. This is all about the music, and this music is played with extraordinary energy, brilliant technique, in creative arrangements that reflect remarkable depth and understanding.
Forget about putting this music in a box. It will just jump out singing and dancing. All the traditional musicians I knew and from whom I learned took very seriously their role as carriers of the beauty and profundity of the past in their music. But most of them also took pride in their own innovations. Art Stamper probably put it best when he said that traditional fiddlers, after learning the music that was handed down to them, must then carry it on as “musicians in their own time.” On this album, Nate, and the other great old time and bluegrass musicians he has assembled , do just that and it’s an amazing ride.James Leva
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Volume 2
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Nate Leath
Danny Knicely
Nancy Sluys
Sammy Shelor
Rushad Eggleston
David Grier
Duncan Wickel
Nick Falk
Tatiana Hargreaves
Andy Williams
Mark Schimick
Michelle Belanger
Lauren Wasmund
Spider Shoe * Jark’s March * Jimmy Sutton * Wildwood Flower *
Roses in the Morning * Molly Put the Kettle On * Brown’s Dream *
Sail Away Ladies * Run Mountain * Le Mystique du Boulanger *
One Morning in May * Lizard on a Leash * Down in the Swamp *
Foggy Dawn *
Polly’s Old Time and Country Waltz * Sally Ann
Nate Leath
Danny Knicely
Mark Schatz
Sarah Jarosz
Tatiana Hargreaves
Eric Robertson
& Guests
Kimberly Frazier
Tom Mindte
Maya Lerman
Brian Vollmer
Moonshiner * Tennessee Mountain Fox Chase listen (mp3)*
Boll Weevil * What Time is it My Pretty Little Miss? *
Miss McCloud's Reel / The Squirrel Hunters / St. Anne's Reel *
No One Knows My Name * Rockville Pike *
Sittin' on Top of the World * Greasy Coat
Rhythm Masters' Red Tag Waltz *
Rosin on the Gourd
Rockville Pike
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Leathal Matter
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Nate Leath
Ty Burhoe
Daniel Clarke
Aimee Curl
John D'Earth
Nicholas Falk
Josh Hari
Danny Knicely
John Lee
Flex Matthews
Annie McElroy
Spencer McElroy
Alex Spalding
Jake Stargel
Jay Starling
Clara Williams
Scatterheart
Jordan's Point
Three Died Young
Brown County Breakdown
Beans Bottom
Rope Swing
Eurydice
Goshen Pass
Laurel Run
Rex McGee - banjo
Daniel Knicely - mandolin & vocals
Stefan Custodi - bass
Tom Mindte - lead vocals, mandolin
Dede Wyland - vocals
Tater Mash * I've Always Been a Rambler listen
(mp3)*
Cherokee Shuffle *
Long Time Gone * Sally Ann *
I'm On My Way Back to the Old Home * Leather Britches *
Kentucky Waltz * Cluck Old Hen * One Woman Man *
Lauren's Lullaby
GUITAR: Steve Abshire
MANDOLIN: Danny Knicely
DRUMS: Mike Shepherd
BASS: Dave Wundrow
Out Of Nowhere * Foggy Mountain Special * Eurudice *
Mojo Espresso * Blue Skies * Jessica's Theme
Nate Leath - Violin & Percussion
Bob Rubin & Bill Queen - Guitars
Daniel Knicely - Bass & Mandolin
Bruce Krohmer - Sax & Clarinet
Lady be Good * Summertime * Take Five * Satin Doll *
I’m Confessin’ * It Don’t Mean a Thing * Misty *
Minor Swing * Honeysuckle Rose *
House of the Rising Sun *
Girl From Ipanama / Song for My Father