VOLUME FIVE, MILESTONES

VOLUME FIVE
MILESTONES

Mountain Fever
MFR180205

Last year, Volume Five celebrated their tenth year as a band with Glen Harrell (fiddle), Patton Wages (banjo, guitar), Chris Williamson (bass), Jacob Burleson (mandolin), Colby Laney (guitar), and Gaven Largent (resonator guitar). It was also the year they were honored as Emerging Artist Of The Year during the International Bluegrass Music Association’s awards show, proving once more that some groups take a while to emerge. That doesn’t necessarily apply to this bunch, since those who have watched the band mature know what a strong interpretive group this is.

On this new release they’ve chosen selections that cover bluegrass, country, and rock. They include two from Jerry Cole, “Just Beyond The Window” and “Stoney Hill.” Others are Becky Buller’s “North Dakota,” Pete Goble and Leroy Drumm’s “Poet With Wings,” Tim Stafford/Craig Market’s “Tell Me You’re Not Leaving,” and John Fogerty’s “Looking Out My Back Door.” Included are the classic “The Lonesome Cry Of The Whippoorwill” and “Looks Like Losing You” from Ronnie Bowman and Billy Droze. Whatever the source, the band makes them all sound bluegrass. Based on the lead vocals of Harrell and backed by Burleson, Laney, and Wages, the group uses their instrumental prowess and arranging skills to make another of Volume Five’s successful musical milestones. (Mountain Fever, 1177 Alum Ridge Rd. NW, Willis, VA 24380, www.mountainfever.com.)BF