Bluegrass stalwart Rudi Ekstein’s latest project is an all-star affair as the producer, recording studio owner and mandolinist calls on an all-star lineup featuring guitarist Jeff Autry, multi Grammy winner Stuart Duncan (fiddle), upright bass genius Mark Schatz, banjo picker Patrick Sauber and John Plotnik on banjo. Plus others. Ekstein’s tunes are given a top class treatment, and with as bluegrass so often is, awash with energy the 12 instrumentals include some hot picking. As each act is given room to cut loose.
Among the tasty bites you have, some equal to bluegrass legend Bill Monroe! High praise indeed; and the material is well and truly worthy such an accolade as you have tunes Bacon In The Pan, Hoot Owl Hop, lacy-paced and melody rich Jessy’s Fancy alongside stricking piece Indian Rain. Bluegrass devotees and those of a catholic taste will soon be drooling over some of the musicianship. As Ekstein’s probing mandolin playing is aided by a bunch of friends who sound like they are playing for fun it. The material has that kind of effect on the listerner, and with a bunch of tunes already embedded in my mind I would love to see a follow up. Maybe with someone like John Starling or Ronnie Bowman guest on vocals (hey, it doesn’t hurt to dream once in a while).
Maurice Hope