Amiable neo-traditional folkies
Two High String Band meander their way through 12 gently heartfelt tunes on their second album,
Insofarasmuch. The spirit of
Norman Blake sails markedly through these recordings, surfacing quite literally on the tribute "Thanks Norman," which embodies the folk legend's warm picking style and friendly sense of melody. Bassist
Bryn Bright (who has worked with
Old & In the Way) bounces playfully through the
John Hartford tune "You Can't Run Away from Your Feet" and she joins with her husband, mandolin player
Billy Bright, for some earthy harmonies on "Bunkhouse Blues."
Vassar Clements and
Peter Rowan make guest turns on the album, but the real stars are the songs themselves -- each one a little bluegrass gem, lovingly crafted by
Bryn and
Billy Bright into homemade jams that spread so easily on a Sunday morning.