|
On his new album, Lookout For Hope, Jerry Douglas proves again why he is known as "The King of the Dobro." If you aren't familiar with Jerry, chances are you already own an album he's played on and don't even know it. If you own Phish's album Farmhouse, then you've heard Jerry play. He has played on over 1000 albums ranging from Phish to Garth Brooks. I had an album Jerry played on and didn't even know it - The Great Dobro Sessions. Jerry's instrument of choice, the dobro, is essentially an acoustic guitar, except that much of it is made of metal and it is played like a lap steel, which creates a very nice, full sound.
I have to admit that when I heard that Trey Anastasio was guesting on the album, I jumped at the chance to review it. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, you would never even be able to tell that Trey played on the album if you didn't know it ahead of time like I did. Although Jerry's career is built on bluegrass, I wouldn't classify this album as a bluegrass album. There are certainly elements of bluegrass within, as well as jazz, classical and country.
The album starts off on a great note, with Jerry's decision to cover Duane Allman's "Little Martha" as the first track. Laid to rest in the Allman's catalogue after Duane passed on, it is very interesting to hear a different take of the song. I can honestly say this is the only cover I've ever heard of this song and it's quite good. Jerry really adds his own touch to the song with the sweet twang of his dobro.
The second tune, "Patrick Meets the Brickbats," is a fast-paced little ditty, as close to bluegrass as the album gets. This song showcases Jerry's pickin' talents, and man, is he fast. The next song, "Footsteps Fall," is one of two tracks with vocals on the album. It is a beautiful, slow ballad that showcases the voice of Ireland's Maura O'Connell. The other vocal track on the album is the last song, "The Suit," song by none other than James Taylor. Taylor has often asked for Jerry's help on his projects, and figured he would return the favor by singing the lead on this story of "a farmer whose inner dignity is revealed by the formal clothes he is buried in."
The title track, "Lookout For Hope," is a very experimental cover of a Bill Frisell tune. Frisell and Jerry worked together on the 1997 album Nashville. According to Jerry this song "was an experiment to see if I could do a decidedly rhythmic track without a drum kit." He put Chris Thile on the right and Sam Bush on the left to "see what would happen." Byron House, the bassist, is the kick drum and the mandolins become the rest of the drum kit. The track starts out with the mandolin providing the basic rhythm and everything else builds from there. Jerry starts in with a mellow little solo and then starts trading licks with Bryan Sutton, the acoustic guitarist. The track builds and builds, gaining momentum until it seems to climax. It is a very intricate song with lots of rhythms being played from lots of different instruments. It's interesting because it really is a rhythmic track, so it must have taken some major concentration from all the players, as there is no drum kit. This is the only track that Trey plays and he is very downplayed with just a brief acoustic guitar part.
Two very strong numbers on the album are songs that feature Jerry leading a quintet, including Jeff Coffin, the tenor saxophonist from Bela Fleck & The Flecktones. I think that Jerry and Jeff work together extremely well and really compliment each other. On "Cave Bop," a fast, jazzy song, they harmonize with each other for the chorus and create a very smooth riff. Then Jeff goes off on a little solo that fits in very well with the flow of the music. I think that it's often tough to make a sax player's part fit in with everything else, but Jeff's a pro. On the other tune Jeff plays on, "The Wild Rumpus," he acts mainly as a backup player, though he still makes his presence felt.
This is a very strong release from the Dobro King and may prove to become a legendary album. Jerry had a career year this year, winning three Grammy’s and gaining acknowledgment for his work on the "O Brother Where Art Thou" soundtrack for Album of the Year, Best Compilation Soundtrack Album and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals ("Man Of Constant Sorrow"). But that's not all. He also received acknowledgment for Best Traditional Folk Album for Down From The Mountain and acknowledgment for Best Country Song for his efforts on "The Lucky One." If you’re into bluegrass or country at all, or just good music in general, I suggest you get out there and pick this album up May 7th.
Sam Katz
JamBase Beantown Correspondent
Go Celts!!!
|
