Album Description
Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular marks acclaimed banjo innovator Tony Trischka's return to acoustic bluegrass terrain - with a unique twist. Joined by a luminous roster of fellow five-stringers, Trischka travels down the rarely-explored avenue of full-band two-banjo bluegrass. Trischka's innate gifts as a musician and arranger, coupled with his unrivaled knowledge of banjo history and technique, ensure that the performances on Double Banjo are both provocative and tasteful, ranging from tightly-reigned and harmonious to spacious and exploratory. Classically styled and dynamic, yet still finding new ways to expand timeless traditions, Double Banjo is bluegrass as only Tony Trischka can envision it. Featured banjo players include Earl Scruggs, Steve Martin, Bรยฉla Fleck, Alison Brown, Tom Adams, Bill Emerson, Kenny Ingram, Scott Vestal, and Noam Pikelny, performing alongside Chris Thile, Dudley Connell, Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Ron Stewart, Michael Daves, and more.
"A great CD! Fine picking!" -Earl Scruggs
"Tony's jovial wit and deep love of the banjo and acoustic music has infected and lifted me many times. Always a trailblazer, Tony plays the banjo like Tony Trischka. And many other people around the world would love to do the same." -Jerry Douglas
"Wow what a CD. For banjo lovers everywhere a Tony Trischka recording is high on the list of acquisitions. When you check out the list of players who join Tony on this project you realize that it is a must have. Get it right now so you can start enjoying it immediately." -Jorma Kaukonen
"I've known Tony Trischka for a long time, and I've always admired his inventiveness. Wherever he goes musically, he always keeps it interesting - and when it comes to bluegrass, he's got a right hand that just won't quit!" -Del McCoury
"I don't give out blurbs anymore!" -Steve Martin
How much banjo can one fan stand? This release should delight those five-string aficionados for whom too much plunk is never enough. Veteran virtuoso Tony Trischka enlists the services of fellow banjoists ranging from seminal inspirations (Earl Scruggs) to pupils and acolytes (Bรฉla Fleck, Alison Brown) to wild cards (comedian Steve Martin) for a series of duets supported by stellar bluegrass musicians such as Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, and members of Union Station. Most of the tracks are instrumentals, though Dudley Connelly provides vocals on traditional bluegrass standards such as "Fox on the Run" and "Live and Let Live," with Nickel Creek mandolinist Chris Thile and frequent duo partner Michael Davis teaming for harmonies on "Run Mountain." The musical interplay throughout is predictably superb, but the three cuts pairing Trischka with Fleck suggest that another extended teaming of mentor and prized student would truly be something special. --Don McLeese