The Arkamo Rangers
The Arkamo Rangers With the release of their second album, A New Timey Thrill, the Arkamo Rangers are well on their way to acclaim and notoriety in the bluegrass world and beyond. Since their first self-titled disc, Arkamo has added some new weapons to their arsenal – not the least of which is their road-tested chops. New Timey welcomes the addition of bassist Gary Rea’s original songs and laid-back vocals to the already vital songwriting and singing of mandolinist Dave Harp, guitarist Jim Rea, and banjo player Mark Cassidy. Where their first disc relied on traditional bluegrass instrumentation, this sophomore release displays an evolution in the arrangements – a horn here, an electric guitar there, bongos, kazoos, and other odds and ends mirror the wit and whimsy of their sly lyrics (there are poignant moments too, like the ode to natural beauty on “Native Pines”). An added treat is the guest appearance of Casey Driessen on the fiddle (Steve Earle, Tim O’Brien). Music News Nashville says “A New Timey Thrill is a THRILL to the bluegrass soul.” www.arkamorangers.com