In the
pop music world, it's not at all unusual for a very popular or highly influential band to release a collection of outtakes, rehearsal tapes, previously unreleased live tracks and other odds and ends. In the
bluegrass world, it's almost unheard of. But
Doyle Lawson is a figure of such stature, and his band
Quicksilver has been (in its various configurations) such a constant and powerful presence on the
bluegrass scene, that this two-disc, 50-track collection of rehearsals, live tracks and other curiosities will probably be welcomed by the
bluegrass marketplace without a second thought. And so it should be:
Lawson's rejects are better than most bands' final versions, and it's surprising how clean and polished most of the rough rehearsal recordings collected here are. Inevitably there are some clunkers, and there are a few live instrumental snippets that are really too brief to be worth including. But some of this stuff is simply spectacular: a lovely rendition of the Canadian fiddle tune
"Northern Lights," thrilling settings of
gospel classics like
"Ezekiel Saw the Wheel" and
"Jezebel" -- even some of the throwaway
novelty numbers like
"Polka on the Banjo" and
"Tennessee Banjo Man" pack a surprising amount of wallop. This set isn't the place to start if you're just getting acquainted with
Lawson's deep and impressive catalog, but it's a must for established fans. ~ Rick Anderson
