Grey Owl
The seven song album represents The Splinters long-time interest in traditional bluegrass and old time roots music. Two of the songs come from Flatt and Scruggs, “Your Love is Like a Flower” and “I Don’t Care Anymore” provide a bit of the bluegrass love song irony in their sentiment. “Raleigh and Spencer” and “Walkin’ in My Sleep” come from the old time tradition, with an emphasis on fiddle and groove. “Country Blues” is an old traditional song, given an interesting treatment by the band. Rounding out the set of seven are two fiddle tunes: the swift Metis tune “Grey Owl”, the title track; the contemplative old time “John Riley the Shepherd”. They’re a little bit crooked in their own ways. All in all, the album is a window into what makes The Splinters tick – strong groove, 3 part harmonies, and rockin’ fiddle tunes.
Track Listing
- Raleigh and Spencer (Traditional)
- Your Love is Like a Flower (Lester Flatt)
- John Riley the Shepherd (Traditional)
- Country Blues (Traditional)
- Walkin’ in My Sleep (Traditional)
- Grey Owl (Traditional)
- I Don’t Care Anymore (Lester Flatt)
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About The Splinters
The Splinters, a bluegrass and old-time string band from Massachusetts, deliver a relentless groove to accompany their tight 3-part harmonies. Anne Rouillard (fiddle) brings the heat to her old-time influenced fiddle playing. J Johnson (mandolin) adds a jazzy flair to his breaks. Chris Reckling (guitar, banjo) picks solid rhythm and punchy leads on top of Garrett Wallace’s grooving bass fiddle. A Splinters set veers from straight ahead bluegrass to traditional fiddle tunes and back, with the occasional detour into a modern song.
- J Johnson – mandolin and vocals
- Chris Reckling – guitar, banjo and vocals
- Anne Rouillard – fiddle and vocals
- Garrett Wallace – bass and vocals
Listen and download here