Bluegrass groups covering songs from other genres is not a new trend â even Bill Monroe and Flatt and Scruggs occasionally covered pop, country, or rock numbers. Today, itâs a rare album that can be found without at least one genre-crossing tune. The Same Old Newgrass Band, a new Canadian group led by banjo and dobro player Smokey Fennell, has taken it to the next level, however, releasing an album made up almost entirely of bluegrass versions of popular pop and rock songs from the past several decades. The group runs the gamut from the Everly Brothers to Lady Gaga, and is sure to entertain listeners in the process.
The album seems almost humorous at times, opening (and closing) with a roosterâs crow and bouncy segments of Boil âem Cabbage. The Clashâs Should I Stay or Should I Go is up first, with the vocals sounding not too far from the original, an inventive, bluegrass-based background, and a John Wayne sound clip in response to the songâs final line. Thatâs followed by Billie Jean. The banjo on this number mimics the melody of Michael Jacksonâs version, and is performed as a male-female duet â certainly an interesting choice.
Another John Wayne quote opens up Stayinâ Alive, which has a bit of a dark, desperate feel to it. This discograss number is done with female lead vocals, an odd choice given some of the lyrics (âyou can tell by the way I use my walk Iâm a womanâs manâ), but perhaps done in an effort to match Barry Gibbâs high falsetto. The Lady Gaga hit Poker Face, in contrast, is performed with a man singing lead, with the lyrics changed just a bit to reflect a male point of view. As a whole, the song has a gypsy jazz sound, although, like the Lady Gaga version, thereâs a short almost-rapped section. Yet again, thereâs a John Wayne quote to match the songâs lyrics, this time with Wayne saying âI think youâre bluffing.â
Two of the better covers are the Rolling Stonesâ Sympathy for the Devil, which doesnât sound too out of place performed in a bluegrass style, and the Allman Brothersâ Midnight Rider, which can sometimes be heard at live bluegrass shows â for instance, Greensky Bluegrass has been doing it lately. Here, it has a bouncy, western feel.
Mingled in throughout the covers are original instrumentals. For most bluegrass fans, these will likely be the best part of the album. Springtime Rush is a cheerful banjo tune written by Fennell, while My Regrets has a smooth, country feel with nice, melancholy fiddle and guitar work. It was written by Chris Tabbert, who also provided guitar and mandolin for the album. Goshen Junction also includes some enjoyable fiddling, as well as more progressive banjo playing.
The Same Old Newgrass Band has created quite the unique record here â a quirky cross between The Cleverlys and a straightforward, progressive bluegrass group. Fennell has been joined by a whole host of his friends to make this record, and the musicians seem to be having fun. There definitely isnât another group quite like this out there right now.
For more information on The Same Old Newgrass Band, visit their website at www.sameoldnewgrass.com. Their self-titled album is available from several online retailers.
