|
 Monroe
Crossing's logo shows a yellow and black crossing sign with Big Mon and his
mandolin. Rules of the road necessitate our slowing down and paying attention to
this busy band from Minnesota that includes Lisa Fuglie (fiddle), Art Blackburn
(guitar), Graham Sones (banjo), Matt Thompson (mandolin, fiddle) and Mark
Anderson (bass). Their third album in as many years offers a lively set of
traditional standards, four originals, two instrumentals, two gospel numbers,
and some other surprises. There's plenty here to thrill their fans as they
continue to break out of the regional band category and into a national
spotlight
Their allegro rendition of Sid Campbell's "This Morning At Nine" (classic
Country Gentlemen fare) sets the stage for some high stepping and fast traffic
ahead. They also cover hits from The Osborne Brothers (Listening to the Rain),
Flatt & Scruggs (No Mother or Dad), and Bill Monroe (Why Did You Wander?). With
their abilities, I'd like to see them wander a few more of the back roads of
bluegrass for less oft-played material.
Engaging arrangements for their instrumental offerings spice up Aubrey Haynie's
tribute to Bill Monroe, "Leavin' Rosine," and a tune from Norman Blake called
"Blake's March" offers some tasty flatpicking. Sones' banjo is in the spotlight
on Pete Wernick's "Tequila Mockingbird."
Blackburn and Fuglie are Monroe Crossing's lead vocalists. Harmony support is
ably provided by Thompson and Anderson, and the band really shines on the gospel
song written by Becky Buller ("The Rain" ), a Tim O'Brien love song ("The
Sweetest Song I Sing") and old Lutheran hymn ("I Love to Tell the Story").
Just when you start to think you have this band pegged, they lay out something
like an original honky tonk country song, "Just Because of You," that kicks off
with twin fiddles and a strong walking bass line on Anderson's portable upright.
A pleasing trademark of this band is their propensity to arrange their songs
with occasional phrases of instrumental harmony. The band's other original
material is also impressive. "The Green Mossy Ground," by Fuglie, is a
triple-timed high lonesome tale of love that leads to death. Blackburn's "The
Way You Look at Him" speaks to a common theme in bluegrass, love gone wrong
after encountering a "cruel and unkind twist of fate that hard life often
brings." Blackburn also penned "Eight Good Years," a contemporary song with
the questions a couple face when they reach a crossroad in their relationship.
The next time you are on the highways of Big Minnie, be sure to slow down and
stop when you see a Monroe Crossing sign. (Joe Ross)
MONROE
CROSSING - The Green Mossy Ground
Monroe Crossing MC-0603
17625 Argon Street NW Ramsey, MN 55303
www.monroecrossing.com
Playing Time - 45:38
Songs:
This Morning At Nine, The Way You Look At Him, The Green Mossy Ground, Leavin'
Rosine, I Love To Tell The Story, No Mother or Dad, Listening to the Rain, The
Sweetest Song I Sing, Eight Good Years, Blake's March, Just Because of You, The
Rain, Tequila Mockingbird, Why Did You Wander. |
