CD Review: Jerry Douglas: Best of the Sugar Hill Years

[KiwiCoromandel]

It is now widely accepted that Jerry Douglas is the finest dobro player in the world. Currently a member of Alison Krauss's band, Union Station, he has long been an in-demand session musician and his status has ensured that when the spirit has moved him he has been able to go into the studio and record solo albums.

In this smart piece of marketing, Sugar Hill, in its Americana Master Series (Americana now has its own charts, awards and radio stations in the US), has pulled together 15 of Douglas's best tracks. If you have never heard this truly amazing musician, this is a fine introduction. Here is Douglas in all his diversity, from delicately romantic compositions such as Senia's Lament through to the sparkling, lightning-fast virtuosity of Takahasaka.

As well, there's the old-time country jazz of Lullaby of the Leaves, a dobro and banjo version of Weather Report's Birdland and a bluegrass rendition of Hendrix's Hey Joe with Tim O'Brien on vocals and mandolin. Beyond those treats there's the down-the-line bluegrass exuberance of We Hide and Seek and the sepia-toned backwoods beauty of his dobro solo on A New Day Medley.

I defy anyone to listen to A New Day Medley and not surrender to its musical beauty.

source:AP/Bruce Elder

image:Supplied: Jerry Douglas: Best of the Sugar Hill Years...It is now widely accepted that Jerry Douglas is the finest dobro player in the world.