LORRAINE JORDAN & CAROLINA ROAD

LORRAINE JORDAN & CAROLINA ROAD
TRUE GRASS AGAIN

Pinecastle Records
PRC1219

This recording is the follow-up to Country Grass, released over three years ago, which featured several of country music’s biggest artists. True Grass Againcontains 11 songs, all with a bluegrass flair. Following the previous model, this latest project includes guests Junior Sisk and Danny Paisley on writer David Stewart’s title-track, which was the lead single. The song sets the theme for the music that follows, keeping with Jordan’s objective of keeping their style of traditional bluegrass music alive. She lists “True Grass” as her personal favorite. The whole effort promotes the notion of three-part harmony and leans toward twin fiddles, Monroe-style mandolin, and Scruggs-style banjo.

Tommy Long returns from a cancer battle to render the kickoff “True Grass” and lead vocals on “I Hear Angels Calling Your Name.” During Long’s medical leave, fill-in artists Jerry Butler (Carolina Road alumnus), Brad Hudson, and Troy Pope (guitarist from A Deeper Shade Of Blue) lend their talents to the project. They all sound as if they belong to the band permanently. “Poor Monroe” features newly recruited bluegrass veteran Randy Graham for some high baritone work and again on “Pickin’ Rock Out Of The Bluegrass.”

Jordan’s writing skills appear on “I Don’t Want To Lose You,” “Another Soldier,” and “Pickin’ Rock Out Of The Bluegrass.” Ben Greene remains on hand for banjo duty, along with Matt Hooper on fiddle, Josh Goforth on lead mandolin, Terry Smith on bass, Will Jones on guitar and, of course, Jordan contributes the rhythm mandolin and vocal work on “Run Little Fox.”

True Grass Againis among the band’s finest efforts and will merit repeated listening due to the variety of vocal arrangements and solid performances by all performers. A truly enjoyable CD for your collection. Not one to rest on her accomplishments, Jordan is already exploring work for a future recording around a patriot grass theme. She seems to have figured out a very successful path, and we should look forward to more. (Pinecastle Records, 2514 River Rd., Ste. 105, Piedmont, SC 29673, www.pinecastlemusic.com.)BW