Buddy Greene – Harmonica Anthology

BUDDY GREENE
HARMONICA ANTHOLOGY
Rufus Music
RMCD195317

Banjo? Check. Fiddle? Check. Mandolin? Check. Harmonica? Huh? It’s not exactly the first instrument associated with bluegrass music, but fans will likely change their tune with the release of Buddy Greene’s Harmonica Anthology. This 16-song collection digs into a variety of genres from bluegrass, old-time, Celtic, blues, and Americana. He kicks off the disc with the rollicking “Texas Gales,” which features the impressive banjo rolls of Ron Block from Alison Krauss and Union Station. Greene puts his unique spin on classics like “Old Joe Clark,” “Orange Blossom Special,” and “Wabash Cannonball.” He even dives into a classical medley that includes his YouTube popular, “William Tell Overture.” Greene’s harmonica hero Charlie McCoy joins him on a couple of cuts. Musicians Aubrey Haynie, Stuart Duncan, Byron House, Jeff Taylor, and Gordon Mote. Tim O’Brien, who adds harmony vocals on “The Train That Carried My Girl From Town,” and Bryan Sutton, who co-produced the project, are some of the other talents that help make this album a joyous experience. (Buddy Greene Music, P.O. Box 3687, Brentwood, TN 37024, www.buddygreene.com.) BC