vocals; Matt Flinner, banjo, mandolin and bouzouki; Greg Garrison, bass
and harmony vocals; Ross Martin, guitar; many special guests – Compass
Records 7 4410 2 – 56 min. ****:
Drew Emmitt is best known for his vocals and mandolin contributions to
the popular jam band Leftover Salmon, but he’s also a superb songwriter
and player of more traditional bluegrass and folk music as well. On his
new album, Across The Bridge, he assembles a truly all-star cast of
supporting musicians; together they’ve crafted a really exceptional
disc that’s truly a winner on all levels.
Many of the tunes here are Emmitt originals, and offer an excellent mix
of folk and bluegrass-oriented ballads and blues, with a few
toe-tapping instrumentals thrown in for good measure. There’s an
outstanding cover of Bob Dylan’s “Meet Me In The Morning,” but the
disc’s real treat is a tasteful reworking of Little Feat’s classic “All
That You Dream,” with none other than Feat’s own Paul Barrere on vocals
and slide guitar. All of the performances are truly exceptional.
Everything about this disc exudes quality – sound quality is
exceptional, and Compass Records should be commended for another
first-class release. This is as good as it gets – four stars, and very
highly recommended!
Tracks: All Night Ride; Meet Me In The Morning; Cross That Bridge; Big
Ice; All That You Dream; This House; Up Where We Are; Listen To The
Spirit; Silvanite; Reach Out For Me; Out In The Woods; The Awakening.
— Tom Gibbs
