Steve Martin - The Crow: New Songs For the Five-String Banjo

  by Fiona Hutchings

published: 13 / 8 / 2009

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Review

I was keen to review this album because the idea of Steve Martin doing anything seriously, let alone an album of almost entirely original banjo songs seemed slightly incongruous. Would it be dueling banjos or credit where it was due? It is immediately apparent that this isn't a slightly faded movie star trying to find a new way to capture the limelight. Featuring amongst others Dolly Parton, Vince Gill and Earl Scruggs, this isn't a "joke" album. Rather this labour of love is the product of "forty five years of playing seriously, as well as playing around" (sleeve notes). The banjo can seem at first a slightly brash instrument but these songs are both delicate and lovingly crafted. Unsurprisingly there is a distinctly country feel to the album but along with the more laid back, wistful sounds of 'Daddy Played the Banjo' is the square dancing energy of 'Hoe Down at Alice's'. I like 'Late for School' but it does sound a little like Steve Martin competing in the hoe down round of 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?'. It is an amusing tale of a rather eventful trip to school, but the lyrics over shadow the music. The influence of friend and fellow banjo playing comedian Billy Connelly is very much in evidence here. Vocally Martin lacks the depth of Parton and Gill, but perhaps this is why he contributes much more musically. Over half the tracks are instrumental, the ones which feature the fiddle more prominently lending an Irish feel to the proceedings. Is it worth listening too? Yes, its very well executed musically but more than that you can tell Martin and co have put their hearts into this record. As a result it is accessible to more than the bluegrass aficionados.

Track Listing:-

1 Daddy Played the Banjo
2 Pitkin County Turnaround
3 Hoedown At Alice's
4 Late for School
5 Tin Roof
6 Words Unspoken
7 Pretty Flowers
8 Wally on the Run
9 Freddie's Lilt
10 Saga of the Old West
11 Clawhammer Medley
12 Calico Train
13 Banana Banjo
14 Blue River Waltz
15 The Crow
16 Calico Train (Instrumental) (Instrumental)

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