Old Crow Medicine Show - Big Iron World

From the first strains of rollicking opener “Down Home Girl” (in which the band describes a girl whose kisses taste of pork & beans), Old Crow Medicine Show serves up notice that their second album for the Nettwerk label will be a unique and free-wheeling breath of fresh air. Trafficking in both contemporary folk and traditional bluegrass sounds, the Nashville-based ensemble display an abundant, infectious energy and an ear for musical nuance, the combination of which yields winning results. Whether reinterpreting standards or contributing new material to a wealthy canon of Americana classics, both the band and producer David Rawlings add their indelible touch to every song, allowing each of the twelve tracks on Big Iron World to sound inspired. Many of the album’s memorable moments are derived from lively tracks with lyrics that are witty, clever and often retain a sense of irony. For example, the group’s arrangement of the traditional “Cocaine Habit” proves a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the powdery drug and even suggests a few modern-day celebrities that may have benefited from its effects. The original “Virginia Creeper” shuffles along delightfully, utilizing banjo, harmonica and rich vocal harmonies as the band seems to revel in their own clever innuendo. Other up-tempo gems include “Minglewood Blues” and an electrifying rendition of Woody Guthrie’s “Union Maid.” The spirit evidenced by the band throughout is seen, albeit in a subtler, more focused way during the album's few ballads. “My Good Gal” is a beautiful, harmonica-drenched lament about a woman the narrator admits missing even though she “ain’t no good to me….she makes true love more like misery.” The band is also able to seize the emotion in songs like “James River Blues” and “Don’t Ride That Horse” without betraying the personality developed in their more detached songs. Big Iron World will certainly appeal to those pre-disposed to enjoying both the traditional and contemporary artists of bluegrass, folk and blues. The album deserves a wider audience, however, and has much to offer those willing to forego preconceived stylistic notions and discover the soul possessed by Old Crow Medicine Show. [www.crowmedicine.com]