When it comes to duet teams, Jim and Jesse McReynolds were without question one of the most influential duos in bluegrass and country music history. Inspired by an interview he conducted with Jesse in 2019, Michael Daves set out to dig deep in the Jim & Jesse catalogue and share those discoveries with new listeners. With assistance from mandolinist Jacob Jolliff, We Like Jim & Jesse is a collection of both standards and obscure pieces that the McReynolds recorded.
Just Wondering Why was written by both McReynolds brothers, and is solid evidence of the musical chemistry that Daves and Jolliff have. With just guitar and mandolin, their distinct vocal blend is allowed to stand out on this particular track.
Stoney Creek and El Cumbanchero both prominently feature Jacob. The former written by Jesse has been a favorite of many aspiring mandolinists, while the latter was a piece originally written by Rafael Marin and masterfully adapted to the mandolin by Jesse. While Jolliff could have easily played these tunes note for note like McReynolds, he instead chose to inflect his own ideas which bring even more depth to these well-loved instrumentals.
If you ask any ardent bluegrass fan to name a Jim & Jesse song, it’s highly possible that Are You Missing Me will be one of them. Written by the Louvin Brothers, Michael and Jacob deliver a spirited rendition that serves as another great example of their vocal harmony.
You Are The One is another upbeat selection that was recorded by Jim & Jesse and their band the Virginia Boys on the 1987 release, In The Tradition. Written by Leon Payne and Pat Patterson, this track appropriately features excellent crosspicking from Jacob Jolliff, a mandolin style that few can execute at a high level.
We Like Jim & Jesse is an excellent tip of the hat to an act that has influenced generations of musicians. Michael Daves and Jacob Jolliff have interpreted the music of Jim & Jesse in a dignified fashion, one that will hopefully inspire others to take further exploration into the body of work the McReynolds Brothers left for us.
