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Richmond Music
Journal , June 2003
Slack
Family “Pickin’ Up the Slack” (Planetary)
"What's
gonna happen to the old times, when the new times come along?"
The Slack Family asks that question in their cover of
"Purple Valley Blues." On their new CD "pickin'
up the slack"(my vote for best title of the year), you'll
find the answer.
The
Slack Family pays homage to the "old times" with
classic covers like "Purple Valley Blues," "Theme
Time," and "Play Dixie for Me" done traditionally.
True grass.
For
the "new times" there's new grass. Joe Wharff (lead
vocals, guitar) has written a couple of gems. "Like a
Train" is hip-shaking bluegrass like Elvis doing "Blue
Moon of Kentucky."
I
was once told by a church lady at the Galax Fiddler's convention
that you're not supposed to dance to gospel-but The Slack
Family kicked the slower paced "Shout out" into
high gear for the last chorus and lead me into temptation!
There
are some excellent musicians here: Andy Burns on mandolin
and tenor vocals, Nick Harlow, banjo, Jim Skelding, fiddle,
and Brian Sulser, bass fiddle and baritone vocals. It'd be
a great treat for me to hear them do more true bluegrass,
but the new times have come along.
-Walter
Boelt
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