Though The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys have always maintained a strong foundation of rock-solid traditional bluegrass music, the group has continually evolved with strong original material and first rate vocals and musicianship. Their latest release, Welcome To The Club, marks several firsts for the group. It is their first release for Turnberry Records, their first to feature their newest members Max Silverstein and John Gooding, and it’s their first to combine the sounds of traditional bluegrass and honky tonk music.
The blend of these two idioms is most evident in the opening track, Bottom of a Glass. Written by bluegrass legends Doyle Lawson and Paul Williams, this song stylistically nods towards both writers’ former boss man, Jimmy Martin. With C.J. Lewandowski on mandolin and lead vocals, the current configuration of The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys also consists of Jereme Brown on banjo and harmony vocals, Jasper Lorentzen on bass, Max Silverstein on fiddle, and John Gooding on guitar. Percussion is also provided on this and several other tracks by Keith Burhans.
I’m Alone But I’m Not Lonesome by Johnny and Jeanette Williams, and Angel Turn Around by David Long, both carry a strong traditional bluegrass influence, while Please Bartender by legendary songwriter Pete Goble is honky tonk, loud and clear. This is especially definite with the addition of the steel guitar played by Jesse Personini.
Coachella Moon by Lewandowski is a great example of his and the group’s ability to effectively convey a story through song. Based on a true story about a romantic getaway in the California desert, this song talks about navigating one’s feelings of loving someone that they know they can’t have.
The title track, Welcome To The Club, and A Tombstone Every Mile, both showcase the newest additions to The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. The former by John Kornhauser features guitarist John Gooding on lead vocals, while the latter showcases fiddler Max Silverstein giving a bluegrass treatment to a country classic by Dick Curless.
Welcome To The Club clearly captures the next chapter of The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. With a renewed, fresh energy they are continuing to make music that’s steeped in different traditions while simultaneously bringing their own ideas to the forefront.
