J.D. Crowe & The New South - Leftys Old Guitar (2006)

It's been over 30 years since J.D. Crowe laid down his legendary newgrass
in the mid-'70s with Tony Rice, a lively mix of old and new acoustic music.
Few groups sound this fresh today, and even Crowe leans much closer to
tradition on Lefty's Old Guitar. Banjoist Crowe is joined by mandolinist
Dwight McCall, guitarist Ricky Wasson, fiddler Ron Stewart, and bassist
Harold Nixon on a dozen tradition-based songs that clock in at 34 minutes.
Wasson handles most of the lead vocals, and his tone and range are vaguely
reminiscent of Rice's; his depth and resonance add a bit of folk grit to
ballads like "In My Next Life." He's usually joined by Crowe and McCall on
the choruses, creating a rich harmonic mix and upping the emotional ante.
In two instances, Crowe and the New South vary the mandolin/guitar/banjo
arrangements, on "Lefty's Old Guitar" and "She Knows When You're on My Mind
Again," adding Doug Jernigan's pedal steel. This adds a definite country
flavor without really altering the band's bluegrass approach. For old fans
and anyone who enjoys solid bluegrass performed with lots of feeling,
Lefty's Old Guitar shows J.D. Crowe & the New South in good form.