At this point, in what is rightly considered an important and ever-evolving career, any new effort by Steep Canyon Rangers naturally qualifies as an auspicious event. The aptly named and newly released New Act on Yep Roc Records proves the point. While singer/banjoist Graham Sharp in particular continues to play a major role in the proceedings by contributing the majority of the band’s material, “new guy,” singer and guitarist Aaron Burdett steps up his participation by adding his own songwriting skills to the musical mix as well.
Then again, the band as a whole have a lot to live up to. Still based in their native North Carolina, Sharp, Burdett, Mike Guggino (mandolin/mandola, vocals), Nicky Sanders (fiddle, vocals), Mike Ashworth (drums, dobro, guitar, vocals, and producer), and Barrett Smith(bass, guitar, vocals) continue to set a standard by managing to find common ground between a traditional tapestry and contemporary credence. North Carolina Music Hall of Fame inductees, they can be credited with 14 studio albums, three collaborative offerings with Steve Martin, three Grammy Award nominations, and a win for Best Bluegrass Album courtesy of 2013’s Nobody Knows You. As if that wasn’t impressive enough — and indeed, it ought to be — their first live album of original material, 2024’s Live at Greenfield Lake, soared up the charts its first week of release.
Graced by guest appearances from Steve Martin, Edie Brickell, and Celia Woodsmith of Della Mae, it is, in a genuine sense, a return to their roots, one in which bluegrass basics play a prominent role. Opening track Rumble Strips more our less sets the standard courtesy of its rousing revelry. Nevertheless, that doesn’t diminish the inherent emotion that’s always been so essential to their overall efforts. The sentimental strains of Next Act and Hard Luck Kid, the riveting resolve of Heart’s the Only Compass, Babylon Stone, and Roll Of the Dice, the restless road song Halfway To Reno, and the poignant perspective shared with Sugar Lake, Back Of Beyond, Stubborn Love, and The Kindest Thing effectively demonstrate the drive and desire the band has managed to maintain throughout each and every album.
Nevertheless, it’s the resolute refrain of Hard Times that more or less sums up the sentiment imbued in this outing.
Living in hard times, you and I
We’ve been set back, we’re still getting by
I bet we look back in the fullness
Wanna get back to these good old hard times
Through it all, the carefully integrated arrangements and astute instrumentation that have always been so essential to the Steeps’ sound remain firmly at the fore. When Sharp sings, “I’m a survivor” on the track titled Circling the Drain, the band’s drive and determination are given obvious expression.
Is it a Next Act as the title suggests? Perhaps. Regardless, it’s the craft and creativity that remain a constant regardless.
Suffice it to say, the Steeps still set the standard. Indeed, they’re that good.
