Keep on Walkin'

Album review

In the fine old tradition of "down-home" country consumerism, the Grascals are sponsored by Mayberry's Finest Brand Foods, for whom they provide jingles and make TV and radio appearances, which makes a whole lot of sense as Terry Eldredge, Jamie Johnson, and Terry Smith harmonize like bacon and eggs with biscuits. On their third album, Keep on Walkin', the contemporary bluegrass/country sextet once again proves that it has no intention of climbing down from the top of the newgrass food chain. From the timeless opener, "Feeling Blue," to the impossibly beautiful closer, "Farther Along" (made famous by Flatt & Scruggs), the band stays true to its roots but leaves the door open for the rest of the world to step in. The liner notes for bluegrass albums always refer to guests as "dropping by," as if they were simply in the neighborhood and thought that it would be fun to stop in and see how the session was going. While that may or may not be true, it certainly sounds that way, especially on the lovely "Sad Wind Sighs" when Vince Gill lets his tenor do the talking. "Sad Wind Sighs" and "Can't You Hear That Whistle Blow" represent two of Keep on Walkin's finest moments.

© James Christopher Monger /TiVo