Shades of Grey -- 2009

Shades of Grey

(2009)

Jake Dewhirst

My Rating: 5 Stars

Dawson County (Jake Dewhirst)
Kentucky Rail (Jake Dewhirst)
Willow Garden (Trad. Arr. Jake Dewhirst)
Nashville Blues (Earl Scruggs)
Fly By (Jake Dewhirst)
Armor (Jake Dewhirst)
Beaumont Rag(Trad. Arr. Jake Dewhirst)
Priceless (Jake Dewhirst)
Heads Up (Jake Dewhirst)
Driftwood (Jake Dewhirst)
Southbound Train (Jake Dewhirst)
Amazing Grace (John Newton)

Musicians:
Jake Dewhirst – Guitars, Mandolin, lead vocal (tk 6)
Luke Dewhirst – Banjo
Erin Dewhirst – Stand-up Bass
Alex Goldman – Fiddle (tks 1, 2, 4, 6, 11)
Martin Stevens – Fiddle (tks 7, 9)
Zach Driscoll – Lead Vocal (tks 2, 11), harmony voc. (tk 6)

It's not often that young talent is so satisfying. Usually, it seems like younger musicians are praised because they do so well for their age, regardless of how bad it sounds. But in this case, teenager Jake Dewhirst has produced a top quality recording. It's his first solo album and I expect that we will be seeing more from him.

The style of his music is bluegrass but I often catch a blues sound combined with it. He plays -- and writes -- with a unique style that I haven't heard elsewhere. I really do like all of the songs on this recording and for different reasons. It's hard to pick one or two favorites... I guess I will say to check out “Priceless” because it is beautiful. :-)

One thing I really liked about this recording was the fact that his mother and brother both played on it. But I also appreciated that he got his friends and fellow musicians in the studio as well. I think it helped make his sound what it is.

http://www.myspace.com/jakedewhirst