Friday Night in America

by New Grass Revival

Overview

On what would turn out to be New Grass Revival's final album, Friday Night in America, the band advanced their sound beyond their own previous pioneering. Their genre-busting brand of rocked-out progressive bluegrass is at its most rockin' -- almost bordering on hair metal with banjos. John Cowan's emotive vocals soar above the delicate picking of Bela Fleck's banjo and the occasional electronic drums or fretless bass. From this point, it is easy to see how effortlessly Fleck slipped into the prog jazz-grass of his Flecktones, particularly on the epic jam "Big Foot." Similarly, this jazzy noodling may be precisely why Sam Bush left the group for the earthier tones of Emmylou Harris' Nash Ramblers. Aside from the "historical document" element of the album, there are some fine moments, particularly the hits "Callin' Baton Rouge" and "You Plant Your Fields." While songs like "Angel Eyes" sound almost like the members of Mr. Big couldn't find their guitars so they picked up mandolins and fiddles, fans of contemporary country and tight instrumentation will want to pick this up. ~ Zac Johnson

Product Details

Release Date:	02/20/2001
Label:	Southern Music Dist.
UPC:	0697035198927
Rank:	74601

Tracks

1. Friday Night in America
2. You Plant Your Fields
3. Let's Make a Baby King
4. Do What You Gotta Do
5. Let Me Be Your Man
6. Lila
7. Callin' Baton Rouge
8. Whatever Way the Wind Blows
9. Big Foot
10. Angel Eyes
11. I'm Down

Album Credits

Performance Credits

New Grass Revival   Primary Artist
Wendy Waldman   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Bela Fleck   Guest Artist,Banjo,Vocals
Pat Flynn   Guitar,Vocals
Carl Marsh   Fairlight
Garth Fundis   Vocals (Background)
John Cowan   Vocals,Guitar (Bass)
Tom Roady   Percussion
Dennis Ritchie   Recorder
Sam Clayton   Vocals (Background)
Sam Bush   Fiddle,Mandolin,Guitar (Rhythm)
Sam Bacco   Percussion
Eddie Bayers   Drums
Bob Mater   Drums

Technical Credits

Greg Parker   Engineer
Bela Fleck   Composer,Group Member
Donny Lowery   Composer
Pat Flynn   Composer,Group Member
Garth Fundis   Producer
Fred Koller   Composer
John Cowan   Group Member
Kim Richey   Composer
Dennis Linde   Composer
Russell Smith   Composer
John Lennon   Composer
Dennis Ritchie   Mixing
Sam Bush   Group Member
Mark Tucker   Photography
Jesse Winchester   Composer
Ken Love   Engineer
Denny Purcell   Mastering
Dave Sinko   Engineer
Gary Laney   Engineer
John Hiatt   Composer
Wendy Waldman   Composer,Producer
Richard Battaglia   Assistant
Marshall Crenshaw   Composer
Todd Sholar   Assistant
Caroline Greyshock   Photography
Kim Ritchey   Composer
Bil VornDick   Engineer
Henry Marquez   Art Direction
Paul McCartney   Composer