Old Juniper
This is a trio based in the Brooklyn, New Yorik area and consists of Walker Shepard (vocals, guitar, banjo, fiddle), Jackson Lynch (vocals, fiddle, guitar, banjo), and Eli Smith (banjo, guitar, banjo-mandolin, pump organ, harmonica), however Walker Shepard has since relocated to Wisconsin. There is also guest artist Hannah Shepard on cello.
This is the first new project from the group since 2017 and consists of all original material, and while featuring mostly instrumentals on selections such as “Battle Hollow,” “Pillow Stone,” “Grayling Waltz,” “Old Phone Died,” and the title “Old Juniper,” the vocal tunes include “Getting’ Ready To Go,” “Picking Dandelions,” “Valley By The Stream,” “Abandoned Orchards That Grow,” “Whistle Won’t Blow,” and the humorous “Let The Rich Go Bust.” There is also a bonus track featuring the band’s interesting take on the traditional “The Girl I Left Behind Me.”
The band’s music is traditionally old-timey and features a good mixing of the instruments. The lead vocals are also pleasant with nice harmonies from Shepard and Lynch. The trio has performed at places such as the Kennedy Center, Newport Folk Fest, NPR Mountain Stage and others. It is good to see them back with a new project.
