Peter Rowan’s latest CD, The Old School, finds the 71 year old former Blue Grass Boy surrounded by both first generation bluegrass veterans, and some of today’s most notable grassers. All but one of the 12 tracks here are Rowan originals, performed by Pete and his all star band.
Compass Records has created a fun Old School quiz to test your bluegrass IQ, and see how many of these special guest vocalists you can identify. Just click this link and follow the on-screen instructions to listen and identify
There’s some rip-roaring bluegrass here, in the old style of course, along with some traditional country. It’s all recorded with a crack bluegrass rhythm section, but we won’t mention who to first let you try your hand at the Old School quiz.
Compass President Alison Brown, who also produced the record, tells us that working with Rowan and all these great guest artists was a rewarding experience.
“Peter Rowan amazes me with his ability for coming up with new songs that sound like they’ve been in the bluegrass repertoire for years. Between the Lines is a great example. Peter told me that he based the rules of the old school on a story Vassar Clements told him about what it was like working with Bill Monroe in the 1950s: you’d drive all night, shave in cold water, raise your hand up high and smile.
We had so much fun recording the track that we decided to do a reprise version for the end of the CD – both versions with different well known bluegrass voices singing ‘the rules of the old school.’ “
The Old School has been nominated for a 2013 International Bluegrass Music Award in the Album of the Year category by the professional membership of the IBMA. Award winners will be announced on September 26 during the IBMA Awards Show at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, NC.
