Andy Statman: “Bluegrass Tracks” (2024) CD Review

Andy Statman is two incredible musicians in one. Some folks know him as a clarinet player who focuses on klezmer music, while others know him as a talented mandolin player working in the bluegrass realm. It is that second Andy Statman that we’ll focus on here, the Andy Statman who learned from (and later recorded with) David Grisman. His new album, Bluegrass Tracks, features a mix of original material and covers, most of them instrumental tunes. These tracks were recorded in September of 2019, and feature some of the last work of the great Byron Berline, who died in 2021. Joining Andy Statman on this release are Byron Berline on fiddle, Ron Stewart on banjo and fiddle, Bryan Sutton on guitar, and Mike Bub on double bass, along with a couple of special guests on certain tracks.

Andy Statman opens the album with “Stoney Lonesome,” and the energy is high right from the start. Those opening moments are like an announcement that we are going to have some fun with this album. Ricky Skaggs joins him on mandolin on this track, so you know there is just a whole hell of a lot of great mandolin work here, and that means a cheerful vibe. The other musicians do get opportunities to shine too, but most of the excitement is in the mandolin work. You can’t go wrong kicking off a bluegrass album with a Bill Monroe tune, and these guys do an absolutely wonderful job with it. It is the first of two Monroe tunes on this disc. Then Ron Stewart switches from banjo to fiddle for “Sycamore Street,” so we get two fiddles on this one. Again, there is a good deal of energy. This is an original composition by Andy Statman. It has such a fun, enjoyable vibe. This is music that helps us keep looking on the bright side of life even as we face difficulties. I am particularly fond of the guitar work. And that mandolin work in the second half is absolutely wonderful.

As “Two Pants Suit” begins, it has a more somber sound, but only briefly. As soon as the mandolin comes in, things become lighter, happier. There is a great, playful attitude here, like the music is strutting about the place, creating smiles in its wake. And there are some good conversations here among the instruments. The bass gets its say in the second half. This is another original composition. It is followed by “If You Only Knew,” a sweet, mellower, easygoing number with a good vibe about it. It is an original number that feels familiar. There is something soothing about it, making us feel relaxed and optimistic. Special guest Tim O’Brien joins the group on guitar on this one, and there is a lot of beautiful guitar work. The pace picks up again with “Bile ‘Em Cabbage Down,” a traditional number, this rendition having an arrangement by Andy Statman. It features some fantastic work on banjo and guitar. That guitar lead is particularly impressive. This one also features guest Tim O’Brien on vocals. He comes in approximately halfway through, after the fun tone has been established. The fiddle urges us all to gather round and dance. There is some strong work on mandolin right at the beginning of this track, and then it is toward the end that we get some more great stuff on that instrument. This is the album’s only track with vocals.

The album’s second Bill Monroe number is “Brown County Breakdown,” and it is another track to feature two fiddles, and they dominate the early part of the track. Great stuff! We are then treated to a really nice lead on mandolin, that section signaling a change. There is a playful aspect to the playing here. The fiddles then carve steps out of sunlight, and the guitar immediately dances up those steps. Before long, everyone is engaged in this great dance above the surface of the world. That’s followed by “Blessing,” a more contemplative tune, with a pretty sound, a sound that is welcoming and also expresses gratitude. Then in the second half, once that is established, it begins to move more firmly toward a joy that feels within reach. This track features two fiddles. Then we get “Those Old Early Morning Blues.” Oh yes, bluegrass blues. It has a cool groove, and still an uplifting effect, particularly in the work on mandolin, but also the fiddle. This is the sort of blues that extends a hand to pull us up, sets us on our feet, and reminds us we can do whatever it is we aim to achieve. A delicious mixing of worlds.

In “Charleston Ramble,” the mandolin leads the dance. This track features some great stuff on banjo as well, and some impressive work on guitar in the second half. I tend to forget that there are problems in the world when I listen to music like this. Problems seem incongruous with the existence of this music. “Charleston Ramble” is followed by “I Wouldn’t Do It,” which has a delicious and cool groove. It’s a different kind of dance, certainly catchy in its own way, in part thanks to the bass. This track features a good bass solo. “Katy Hill” is a traditional number, with an arrangement by Andy Statman. It comes at us at a fast pace, flying, dancing along. If you’re going to join in, you’d better decide quickly. Hop this train, join this dance, as it speeds across the landscape. Ricky Scaggs joins Andy Statman on mandolin on this track, adding to its great fun. The album concludes with another lively and fun number, another dance, “Starday Hoedown,” this one an original composition, featuring two fiddles. It’s everything you might want from a bluegrass number.

CD Track List

1. Stoney Lonesome
2. Sycamore Street
3. Two Pants Suit
4. If You Only Knew
5. Bile ‘Em Cabbage Down
6. Brown County Breakdown
7. Blessing
8. Those Old Early Morning Blues
9. Charleston Ramble
10. I Wouldn’t Do It
11. Katy Hill
12. Starday Hoedown

Bluegrass Tracks was released on September 6, 2024 on Shefa Records.