The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo
2009 | Rounder / Umgd
-
CD
$11.99CROW: NEW SONGS FOR THE FIVE STRING BANJO
05/19/2009
Songs from The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo
All Music Guide Review
First off, there's no "King Tut" here, and this isn't Steve Martin with an arrow through his head using the five-string banjo as a prop and trying to be funny. The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo is exactly what the title says it is -- it's a banjo album, spotlighting Martin originals on the instrument (of the 16 tracks, all but one are his own compositions). And guess what? Martin is pretty good at the banjo, and this is no vanity project. Tracks like the stirring and revealing "Daddy Played the Banjo," the blisteringly kinetic "Hoedown at Alice's," the very pretty "Freddie's Lilt," and the expansive, even beautifully ornate "Calico Train" (there are two versions here) not only wouldn't seem out of place on any progressive bluegrass album, they'd probably be the best cuts on it. Martin has a lot of help, yes, from the likes of Mary Black, Vince Gill, Tim O'Brien, Dolly Parton, Earl Scruggs (Scruggs' presence here should tell you something about Martin's playing chops), Tony Trischka, and Pete Wernick, and the album is lovingly produced by John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, but make no mistake, this is completely Martin's album and it's his vision all the way. He even takes a very successful shot at frailing the banjo with the lovely and modal "Clawhammer Medley," the one non-original here. Everyone knows that Martin can be very funny, but The Crow isn't a joke. It's a first-class banjo album. One wonders if entering an archery tournament is next on this talented performer's agenda. Here's guessing Martin's probably pretty good at that, too. ~ Steve Leggett, Rovi
The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo Track Listing
The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo Notes
Comedian, actor, author, and banjo player Steve Martin releases his first musical recording since 1978’s number 1 hit “King Tut.” This is no novelty record though. It’s some of the best banjo music to come down the pike in a long time. The Crow features able assistance from some of Steve’s pals, including Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Earl Scruggs, and Béla Fleck. Martin wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on this album, creating a new body of work that will stand alongside the classics for years to come.
Credits of The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo
- Rev. Billy Robinson
- Engineer
- Travis Stefl
- Engineer
- Pat McMakin
- Engineer
- Tim O'Brien
- Vocals
- Salli Ratts
- Artwork, Design
- George Tutko
- Engineer
- Bruce Martin
- Percussion, Bodhran, Tabla
- Matt Flinner
- Mandolin
- Michael Manning
- Engineer
- Craig Eastman
- Fiddle, Octave Violin
- Ciarán Byrne
- Engineer
- Liam Óg O'Floinn
- Uillean Pipes, Drones, Tin Whistle
- Nicholás Sevilla
- Mixing
- Rob Clark
- Engineer
- Chris Caswell
- Piano, Accordion, Orchestra
- Skip Ward
- Bass (Acoustic)
- Brittany Haas
- Fiddle
- Michael Daves
- Guitar
- Hans Olson
- Harmonica
- John McEuen
- Banjo, Guitar, Bass (Electric), Mandolin, Effects, Producer
- Dae Bennett
- Engineer
- Stuart Duncan
- Fiddle, Mandolin
- Vince Gill
- Vocals
- Dolly Parton
- Vocals
- Pete Wernick
- Banjo
- Mary Black
- Vocals
- David Amram
- Percussion, Wind Instruments
- Russ Barenberg
- Guitar
- Jerry Douglas
- Dobro
- Earl Scruggs
- Banjo
- Tony Trischka
- Banjo












