"Tricopolis Records" review on "Home is Where the Heart is"
Reprinted From the August Issue of the "Tricopolis Records Web Site".
"Home is Where the Heart is"
Many dyed-in-the-wool bluegrass enthusiasts live
and die never knowing that musicianship can be of the level heard on this
CD. Pretty strong words, I know, but listening to the first cut, 
Sweet
Georgia Brown, you might not believe your ears. It’s common for
reviewers to indulge in hyperbole, but Trust Me On This: It just
doesn’t get any better. The single biggest mystery here might be why
these guys aren’t acknowledged within the industry to the degree they
deserve. Perhaps that’s a question for a more politically oriented
forum, so lets talk about the music and the ones playing it.
Bluegrass Etc. is John Moore, Dennis Caplinger, Curtis Jones and Wally Barnick. Collectively they form a musical dreadnought characterized by incredible instrumental power, precision and inventiveness, smooth vocal harmonies, and innovative arrangements. Whether in the studio or in a live performance they deliver the same excitement and virtuosity.
John Moore is known as one of the great mandolinists and guitarists in bluegrass today. His free, liquid, and extraordinarily clean technique is one of the signature sounds of Bluegrass Etc. As spokesman/leader he entertains his audience with a natural humor that fills the space between songs with nearly as much enjoyment as the music.
Dennis Caplinger can hardly be compared to most other banjoists in all fairness. He’s taken the instrument to levels comparable to what Bela Fleck has, but in altogether different directions. Without the confinements of being locked into any single style, he plays with Zen-like abandon, with musical ideas seemingly born of the moment. And it all works. Dennis’ banjo playing tends to unfairly overshadow his abilities as a fiddle player but he’s a true force to be reckoned with in this field too.
Curtis Jones is a fairly recent addition to the band and has the
chops to fit right in. His powerful, breakneck-fast and intricate guitar
style is also heard on the Nashville Network’s two staple fishing
shows hosted by Roland Martin and Orlando Wilson. He also
wrote one of the most memorable cuts of the CD, the instrumental Amelia
In Flight , a minor-key fantasy that is nearly exhausting to listen
to.
Bassist and singer Wally Barnick performs several of the lead vocals, doing an especially fine job on Sarah Hogan and Evangelina. He’s also currently active in The Cache Valley Drifters and has been a core member of that group for years.
Home Is Where The Heart Is features one other talent not previously mentioned. Songwriter John Lowell wrote three of the songs including the title cut. The other two, Sarah Hogan and Northern Plains both made the hair on my arms stand up.
If you’re familiar with Bluegrass Etc. then you don’t need my recommendation to run out and buy their music. If you’re not, then remember what I said earlier – It just doesn’t get any better.
~ David Ogershok
