Carter & Cleveland
A crusty old banjo player once quipped that twin fiddles are like cilantro; a little bit goes a long way. But longtime friends Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland and their roster of all-star players annihilate that snarky, uninformed comment in a single album. You will want to keep their new project, Cleveland & Carter, on replay.
The lead cut “Give it Away,” written by Tim O’Brien and Matt Combs, was released as a single last May and went right to the top of the charts. You might hear vocal similarities to Jim Lauderdale and Randy Kohrs singing together at the Station Inn.
Jason and Michael have won more IBMA and Grammy awards than Michael Phelps has won Olympic gold medals! There is a reason for the repetitive recognition. Their timing, sweet tone, and fluidity are as good as any fiddler in history. I was going to compare their playing to Kenny Baker, Bobby Hicks, Stuart Duncan, Mark O’Connor, and Vassar Clements, but at this point in Jason’s and Michael’s careers, no comparison is necessary.
Michael shared, “Twin fiddle is like really good vocal harmony when it’s right. When it’s super tight and together, there’s nothing like it.” Their flawless fiddle harmony recalls the vocal harmony of family bands like the Isaacs, the Stanleys, the Martins, the McReynolds, and the McCourys.
Imagine having Vince Gill, Del McCoury, Jerry Douglas, Ronnie McCoury, Rob McCoury, Sierra Hull, Justin Moses, Sam Bush, Bryan Sutton, Jaelee Roberts, Alan Bartram, Cody Kilby, Darrell Scott, Cory Walker, Harry Clark, and Casey Campbell all on the same album. Imagine no more because they are the “band” supporting Jason and Michael. Special shout out to bassist Alan Bartram for providing rock steady rhythm.
These songs are so, so good, sure to garner more awards. More importantly, they are songs folks will keep listening to. Jason Carter is an incredible singer. His manly baritone voice is Kentucky soulful, etched with 33 years of road travel. Jason sings lead on “Give It Away” (my favorite), “With a Vamp in The Middle,” the radio-ready “Outrun The Rain” with Vince Gill and Jaelee Roberts serving up buttery smooth harmony vocals, “In The Middle of Middle Tennessee” with fine harmony by Charlie Worsham and well-crafted lyrics, and “Fiddler Jones.”
Don’t miss “Dreams” featuring the happiest man in bluegrass, Del McCoury, on lead vocal. Jason, Michael, and the band, thanks for this remarkable gift.
