Vocal-rich bluegrass

Lou Reid developed his bluegrass legend over several decades and several key engagements. He began as a bassist for Doyle Lawson’s Quicksilver, played multiple instruments and sang backup for the Ricky Skaggs Band, and signed on to play guitar and sing lead with the Seldom Scene. He moved on to session work in Nashville and in 1992 formed the first version of Carolina with his friend Terry Baucom. Baucom departed after a pair of albums and Reid took up a second stint with the Seldom Scene, but has kept Carolina going as a parallel concern. The current version of the group includes Reid on mandolin and vocals, Christy Reid on bass, Shannon Slaughter on guitar, and Trevor Watson on banjo. Their sixth album, the second with this lineup, continues to focus on clear, compelling vocals and multipart harmonies. Which isn’t to suggest the players are instrumental slouches, as they show otherwise with the mandolin opening to an up-tempo pass through the Stanley Brothers’ “She’s More to Be Pitied,” and the jaunty instrumental play of “Beat the Train.” The album’s song list revisits a few bluegrass chestnuts, including Bill Monroe’s “In Despair,” and offers a generous helping of faith-related songs through which the group harmonies really show their impact. Reid, Slaughter and Watson supply original tunes, including the a cappella “It’s Hard to Stumble (When You’re Down on Your Knees)” and the siren’s call of hometown love, “Blueridge Girl.” Lou Reid and Carolina’s music focuses on singing and songs rather than strings and picks, and they retain tradition while creating their own contemporary voice. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]

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