|
 Their name inspired by Bill
Monroe's Tennessee walking horse, King Wilkie is a Virginia-based band that
plays bluegrass that really gallops. While only in their twenties, their
high-stepping traditional approach to the music illustrates the horsesense that
often only comes with years of experience. King Wilkie's first album, "True
Songs," was an independent release in 2003. Now, with their sophomore release,
they have the support of the reputable Rebel Records label. The band plays well
together with a feisty energy full of bluegrass oats, and their lively set on
"Broke" offers plenty to enthuse fans of all ages.
Just as they might open a bluegrass festival set, they blaze from the chute with
a one-minute version of Ralph Lewis' "40 West." Tapping material from the
backroads of the genre, they give us snappy renditions of the traditional
"Little Birdie," Jimmie Davis' "Where the Old Red River Flows," and Jimmie
Rodgers' "Blue Yodel #7." They cover Bill Cox's "Sparkling Brown Eyes" and Will
Ramsey's "Some Glad Day." Between band members Ted Pitney (lead guitar) and Reid
Burgess (mandolin), the CD also includes six original tunes that offer some
memorable lines such as Pitney's "drifting away into loneliness," and Burgess'
sentiments to "head down south to that old abode." These are very common themes
in bluegrass music and the subject matter for traditional music lovers. With
their songwriting, I would encourage them to respect these traditional themes
but to also strive for new inspirational messages that tell us things that
haven't been heard before. Pitney, for example, gives us a sad and tragic ballad
with a new interpretive twist called "Lee and Paige," about a young loving
couple's encounter with a train. "Broke Down and Lonesome" is getting some good
airplay as a result of being featured on Prime Cuts of Bluegrass, Volume 68.
Pitney and Burgess met at college in Ohio in 2000. After graduating in 2001,
they moved to a Charlottesville farmhouse and got the band together that now
also includes Drew Breakey (bass),John McDonald (guitar), Nick Reeb (fiddle),
and Abe Spear (banjo). Pitney, Burgess and McDonald are the sextet's vocalists.
King Wilkie is a band with a lot of horsepower. Galloping in a traditional
groove, they will go far on the bluegrass festival and concert circuit. (Joe
Ross)
KING
WILKIE - Broke
Rebel Records CD-1802
www.kingwilkie.com
Playing Time - 36:48
Songs - 1. 40 West 2. It's Been A Long Time 3. Broke Down And Lonesome 4. All
Night Blues 5. Blue Yodel #7 6. Goodbye So Long 7. Little Birdie 8. Where The
Old Red River Flows 9. Sparkling Brown Eyes 10. Lee And Paige 11. Drifting Away
12. Some Glad Day 13. 40 West |
