THE GARRETT NEWTON BAND

THE GARRETT NEWTON BAND
BLUEGRASS BARN

Pinecastle Records
PRC1227

Lorraine Jordan of Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road once said of Garrett Newton that he was an old soul in a young man’s body. Jordan, a bluegrass purist, bandleader, and mentor to Newton, meant it as a compliment. A listen to Newton’s second effort from his band echoes that comment. Bluegrass Barn features new music and some old tunes, but it is undoubtedly traditional bluegrass music through and through, headlined by Garrett’s smooth banjo picking and clean vocals.

Newton, who tours with Jordan and her band, has Allen Dyer (guitar/vocals), Daniel Aldridge (mandolin/vocals), Parks Icenhour (lead guitar/vocals), Chris Hill (fiddle), Dale Perry (bass) and even Jordan (vocals) in his lineup—all solid, veteran pickers. Jordan penned the title-cut and the catchy “Family Graveyard.” The band does a nice take on “Let The Church Roll On,” and there are nice instrumental touches on Don Reno’s “Charlotte Breakdown” and on “Daybreak In Dixie.”

Arguably the best piece might be “No More Painting Up This Town,” co-authored by the legendary Junior Sisk with Timothy Massey, Elmer Burchett and Ronnie Bowman. The band’s take on “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms” is not to be missed with its indisputable nod to Flatt & Scruggs. (Pinecastle Records, 2514 River Rd., Ste. 105, Piedmont, SC 29673, www.pinecastlemusic.com.)MKB