Artist:     Earls of Leicester

Album:     Live at the CMA Theatre

Label:     Rounder Records

Release Date:     9.29.2018

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The latest from the Grammy-winning, bluegrass supergroup, Earls of Leicester, finds them mining a rich seam, with a double album that covers pretty much everything of note from the depths of the genre produced in the last half century or so. As a result, there’s probably little to surprise bluegrass fans, no new out-takes or surprises actually lie in store. Led as usual by Dobro slide genius Jerry Douglas, the line-up this time round features Jeff White, mando; Billy Bales, bass; Shawn Camp, guitar; Charlie Cushman, banjo; Johnny Warren, fiddle, with vocals shared between all band members.

Tracks include the ever popular “Earl’s Breakdown,” “Salty Dog Blues’,” “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down,” “Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms”—a Flatt & Scruggs essential, and another banjo dazzler with “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.” Of course, anyone with a true love of bluegrass will almost certainly have original versions of most of the material captured here on this recording from Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys, Flatt & Scruggs or Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys. If there’s a weakness in this release it’s possibly simply that – we already have excellent, original covers of this same material. However, if that’s the only criticism, then we have truly nothing to complain about here because the sheer brilliance of the musicianship, especially given a live recording, more than makes up for any minor grievance.

“I’m Gonna Sleep with One Eye Open from Now On,” a seldom-heard Flatt & Scruggs original once banned by the Grand Ole Opry for being just way too risqué, is also included, and features some wonderful period-feel lead vocals and a rousing, ringing delight that screams from the speakers. Overall, this is an album that highlights the genius and artistic chemistry that clearly lives in the hearts of this entire band, and that in itself makes this a more than worthy addition to any and all bluegrass lovers’ collections.

—Iain Patience