Song List: Last Chance to Win, I Almost Told Her, East Due West Blues, Papa’s on the Housetop, Jenna McGaugh, How Could I Love Her So Much, When You Come Home, Starlet Iris, Magic City Grey, Love Slippin’ Away, Railroadin’ and Gamblin’.
East Nash Grass has been nominated for the IBMA New Artist of the Year award, and after hearing this new album, it’s easy to see that the nomination is well deserved. The band met and continues to play at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge in Madison, Tennessee, and the infectious good vibes from live performance flows over into their recorded projects.
Band members are James Kee on guitar and vocals, Harry Clark on mandolin and vocals, Gaven Largent on resophonic guitar and vocals, Maddie Denton on fiddle and vocals, Cory Walker on banjo and vocals, and Jeff Picker on bass. All of the band members have also been session players on recordings and part of other bands.
Several of the songs were written by band members, but they’ve also found gems from the past that have a bouncy old-time vibe. Dave Macon’s “Railroadin’ and Gamblin’” explodes with a fiddle and banjo energy that will make your feet and body move with excitement even if your shoes get stuck in the mud. Maddie Denton’s fiddle playing propels the band’s energy sound and her “Jenny McGaugh” instrumental work pairs with Cory’s banjo and Henry’s mandolin to project an image of the shops around Dee’s location. Maddie also sings the lead vocal on “When You Come Home” with its wistful waiting for the wanderer to return. It’s an interesting contrast to James Kee’s “I Almost Told Her” with its unsaid words as he departs his love. Harry wrote “Starlet Iris” and its story of a drunken spree and jail time is featured in an animated film well worth seeing. Leroy Carr’s “Papa’s on the Housetop” is filled with images of the dad killing the chicken for dinner from his perch and the rest of the family going about their business as if this were the normal state of things. East Nash Grass manages to make each song a special gem with striking instrumental blends and harmony vocals, with a extra dollop of energy and enthusiasm.