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Weekly Magazine, March 2003
Slack
Family “Pickin’ Up the Slack” (Planetary)
****
From the first thumping stand-up bass notes
and rousing harmonies to the closing notes some 43 minutes
later, the Slack Family’s newest traditional bluegrass
release is mostly top-drawer stuff. The boys rely on wood
and steel to present a sound that’s tasty, sincere and
fun. Guitarist Joe Wharff does most of the lead singing and
he carries things off in a solid, unaffected way. Andy Burns
shines on mandolin throughout. Fiddle player Jim Skelding
glides through his solos with ear-catching dexterity, and
Nick Harlow’s banjo jump-starts one of the set’s
highlights, “Sincerely Leaving You.” Brian Sulser’s
steady bass underpinning propels each tune with confidence.
The band throws in wonderful harmony singing and, overall,
the project is mixed so a listener can hear each instrument
and voice clearly.
Nine of the 15 tunes were written by the band, but both originals
and covers consistently work on a number of levels. One of
the best of the set is the Slack Family’s cover of “Ready
For the Time.” It’s a tender tune handled with
appropriate care. “The Wilderness” pays worthy
and quick-tempo tribute to Rebel soldiers long gone. “Fergus
County Jail” tells the story about the poor boy in the
wrong place at the wrong time, and Skelding’s fine fiddle
gently captures the graceful heartbreak of “Chloe.”
There’s a snappy little tempo change in “Shout
Out” that really pumps the tune up and “Mem’ries
I Can’t Remember” is an upbeat tale of misguided
choices that showcases the lightning fingers of the band members.
The
only clinker is Townes Van Zandt’s great tune “White
Freightliner Blues” or “White Freightliner”
as listed here. Somehow the boys don’t catch the sorrow
evoked by the song in choosing to play it as a simple traveling
tale. It’s too quick, clipped and clean. But that’s
a small quibble. The other songs ring with truth and honesty
and as a unit this band plays together seamlessly.
Nothing
here gets in the way of the songs and each of these talented
players knows when to jump in and jump out. “Pickin’
Up the Slack” is a first-rate pickin’ and singin’
party.
—
Ames Arnold
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