NATE LEATH, NATE LEATH AND FRIENDS, VOLUME 2

NATE LEATH
NATE LEATH AND FRIENDS, VOLUME 2

Patuxent Music
CD-244

Nate Leath studied old-time music by playing a variety of bluegrass fiddlers’ conventions as a young boy in North Carolina. Then, he graduated to a formal education at the prestigious Berklee College of Music where Leath learned about a variety of genres. Now, he combines all the courses into a mixed musical palate with his incredible technical prowess and a natural feeling for the soul of the music.

In this 16-cut follow-up to his earlier release, Rockville Pike, Leath touches on old-time, bluegrass, Celtic, and other flavors. He hops outside the box on several of the songs, but stays true to the traditional side on tunes such as “Sally Ann,” “Jimmy Sutton,” and “Sail Away Ladies.” Joining Leath are Lonesome River Band’s Sammy Shelor on banjo, guitarist David Grier, and Rushad Eggleston on cello, just to name a few. The CD was recorded live in early February 2013 and has no overdubs on the recording. While there are a few guest vocals, the CD is predominantly instrumental and full of intriguing fiddle exploration. Check out “Roses In The Morning,” “Lizard On A Leash,” and “Foggy Dawn.”

While listening to the CD, you’ll swear, at times, you’re kicking back in your lawn chair watching these musicians at a bluegrass festival. What a magnificent display of musicianship from Nate and his ensemble! (Patuxent Music, P.O. Box 572, Rockville, MD 20848, www.patuxentmusic.com.)BC