If It Wasn’t For Longing
This is a five-piece band from Pennsylvania that features Katelynn Casper (fiddle), Quentin Fisher (mandolin), Michael Johnson (guitar), Steve Leonard (banjo) and Shane McGeehan (bass). Keeping to their love for the pioneers of bluegrass music, the group has produced a mix of original tunes with a cross section of other sources for this really nice 12-song project.
Originals include two from Johnson (“Back To Appalachia” and “Find Someone Who Will”) and two from McGeehan (“Holding You Closely” and the title cut “If It Wasn’t For Longing”). Instrumentals include Fisher’s “Carbon County Breakdown” and Leonard’s “Rough Patch.” Other selections include Dolly Parton’s “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind,” Jimmy Skinner’s “Doin’ My Time,” Del McCoury’s “Dreams” and Randy Newman’s “Rider In The Rain.”
This is a solid group of musicians and singers with great delivery and arrangements.
