One sign of maturity in a bluegrass band is the willingness to play at a moderate tempo. One sign of virtuosity in a bluegrass band is the ability to play at a moderate tempo with driving intensity. So when the
Chapman's open their second album (and Pinecastle debut) with the muscular but restrained "Losing Again," it grabs your attention. That they follow it up with the overly sweet "My Heart's Bouquet" is a minor misstep, but things pick up again quickly: "Follow Me to Tennessee" strikes a perfect balance between sugar and vinegar, while the swinging "Candy Kisses" harks back more to
Bob Wills than to
Flatt & Scruggs and the juxtaposition of Bill Monroe's "I'm Going Back to Old Kentucky" with the Sam Cook hit "You Send Me" bespeaks both musical depth and a sense of humor. And the harmonies on the latter -- which features only bass and voices -- are nothing short of angelic. What looks on the cover like just one more traditional bluegrass album by one more family band turns out to involve layers of musicianship that you wouldn't necessarily anticipate. That's another sign of virtuosity. ~ Rick Anderson