What You Need To Prove
Cassell was originally from Virginia but now lives in Nashville, Tennessee. He is an excellent mandolinist having won championships at places like FrestGrass, Rockygrass, and others. He is also the 2020 IBMA’s “Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year.” He is a founding member of the Circus No. 9 contemporary bluegrass group, and has performed and collaborated with artists such as Billy Strings, Bryan Sutton Band, Jim Lauderdale, Missy Raines, Becky Buller, and others.
On this new project, his second, Cassell is joined by Hunter Berry (fiddle), John Gardner (drums), Vince Hagan (bass), Ned Luberecki (banjo), Jacob Metz (resonator guitar), Julian Pinelli (fiddle), and Tim Stafford (guitar). Additional vocals are provided by Dan Boner, Dale Ann Bradley and Becky Buller. Six of the selections were written or co-written by Cassell and include “The First Move” (with Stafford), “Overlooking Blue,” “Traveling Shoes” (with Buller), “Another You” (with John Weisberger), “Sufficient for the Day” (with Stafford), and “Diggs The Bounty Hunter.”
Other tunes include Mark Knopfler’s “Redbud Tree,” and Stafford’s “New November.” This is an impressively good project from Cassell. His pleasant vocals are right up front with some very nice harmonies blending in. The musical arrangements are really, really good with the performances by all, counterpointing with Cassell’s mandolin. On this project, Cassell did what he needed to prove.
