By Geoff Bowers

KNEE DEEP WAS impatiently awaited by subscribers to the Acutab list for some time and so I was interested in their reaction when it first hit the public.There was some wild hyperbole which grabbed my attention in no small way and then... a period of relative silence. I've read a few reviews already off-list, and they all give it a "thumbs up for John Lawless" (the real-nice-guy, tireless force behind Acutab) and so do I.

The brainchild of Acutab founder John Lawless and made as a showcase for the Acutab greats, this is a de riguer album for all Bluegrass enthusiast - not only banjo players! Quite a bit of it is medium pace with some twin guitar, twin mandolin and guitar / dobro work to appeal across the board. Naturally, whilst compilations can't please 'all of the people all of the time,' there is a lot here for everyone.

The first track Lonesome Wind, sung by Ronnie Bowman and Dan Tyminski with Sammy Shelor on banjo, is a great opener; it just couldn't fail with these three, as any of the lucky folks who saw them in England this August will happily testify.

Angelina Baker players will have a pleasant surprise at the version here, with the twin guitars of Tim Stafford and Kenny Smith. This is tasteful, subtle, deftly played and a pure joy to hear. (Surely all the attributes we associate with our own Old Timey music?)

The title track comes fourth and is a good showcase for a piece of clean, driving bluegrass. It's played by Terry Baucom (banjo), Alan Bibey (mandolin), Ron Stuart (fiddle), Tim Stafford (guitar) and Barry Bales (bass). It will, I'm sure, become another festival favourite.

A really good moody murder ballad with a twist is sung by Alan O'Bryant - it would have to be good then wouldn't it? This Benny McCoy grabs me!

Turkey In The Straw is played as well as I've heard it, by Ron Stewart on Fiddle with some little-known banjo player called err... Sammy Shelor!

Butch Baldassari's laid-back arrangement of Carter's Blues is good for the Bluegrasser's soul! The bass is included in the solos and very effectively.

Tony Trishka plays his Buffalo Creek with his usual finesse and some lovely backup from the band.

I just love Pretty Boy Floyd done by Tim Stafford with really tasty Dobro from Rob Ickes; Woody Guthrie fans will know this song of old. I have a double satisfaction over this version since it is sung almost exactly as Martin Simpson does it... I'm an avid fan of his too. It's no coincidence that every other reviewer I've read has singled out this track in spite of those reviews having the broad Bluegrass view.

Golden Slippers is given the Bluegrass treatment with lovely twin mandolin by Butch Baldassari and Wayne Benson, as well as the rest of the band.

Newgrassers will like Scott Vestal's By Stealth; it's interesting, whilst Jimmy Martin's Home Run is more of the traditional Bluegrass.

I'm sure that Alan Munde's Four Leaf Clover will appeal to all. He plays his usual tasty banjo with the rest of the band shining too.

Pete Wernick sparkles on his Liza Jane. A few good Old Timey tunes are given a tasteful Bluegrass treatment here - I wonder how some of the more 'precious' Old Timey purists will react? ("Darned Bluegrassers?"- words to that effect?) I advise that when Bluegrass is inevitable, lie back and enjoy it! I'm immune - I love it all! And Sammy Shelor finishes off the album he started so well, with Daddy's Dream.

As I said, I was eager to hear this album and I'm glad I did: I fully recommend it.

Geoff Bowers, Nottingham.

CD obtainable from: John Lawless, AcuTab Publications | Write to | details |
P O Box 21061 Roanoke, VA 24018-0108 540-776-6822 (voice) 540-776-6827 (fax).

21st Sept 2000