The album opens with a good rendition of “Streak O’ Lean Streak O’ Fat,” which features just Kenny Kosek and Tony Trischka. This track has a great southern flavor. It feels like it’s inviting us to its table outside, where there is a whole lot of food, a whole lot of conversation, and a whole lot of friendly faces. It has that kind of pleasant, loose vibe, and it is that spirit which drives the music on this album. This track was recorded back in 2013. That’s followed by the album’s title track, “Twisted Sage,” which also features just Kosek and Trischka. This one is an original tune, written by Kenny Kosek. I love the title, for its multiple meanings, including the plant and some kind of deranged or depraved wise man. The music conjures images of both. Apparently there is also a yoga pose called the sage twist, which rotates the spine and has a calming effect, and perhaps you’ll hear some of that too. For me, it’s mainly about the deranged wise man. You know, the kind of person you can learn some things from if you can align yourself with his unconventional delivery. The fiddle drives this one. This track was recorded in 2014.
“Lost River Medley” has a pretty, somewhat contemplative, and relaxed feel as it starts on banjo. After a minute or so, Kenny comes in on fiddle, maintaining that general vibe. The fiddle then begins to transport us to a different time and place. I love when music is able to do that. The pace picks up approximately halfway through, and the track becomes a light dance in that last section. This one was recorded in 2017. Andy Statman then joins them on mandolin for “Turkeys In The Straw,” a tune that is likely familiar to everyone. This rendition has kind of a cool, loose vibe, and features some outstanding stuff on mandolin. I have to imagine the musicians were smiling while playing this one. It takes us on a delightful ride, and toward the end, just when you think the track is ending, the pace suddenly increases, and the energy is tremendous. This track is a lot of fun. “Turkeys In The Straw” was recorded in 2014.
“Lady Hamilton” is a traditional number that invites us to a lively dance. It is performed here by Kosek and Trischka, without any guests. This track was recorded in 2013. Then Andy Statman again joins them on mandolin for “Jewish Dance,” which was recorded in 2014. This is another piece that transports us, and it features some fantastic playing, including some unusual tones from the mandolin. Interestingly, Andy Statman had previously recorded this song with his own band, and for that rendition he was on clarinet. This is another of my personal favorites from this disc. It is followed by “Gojira County Breakdown.” When I first glanced at the album’s track list, this is the one I was most excited to hear. I mean, how often is Godzilla mentioned on a bluegrass album? I grew up watching those movies on “Creature Double Feature” on Channel 56 in Massachusetts, and am still happy when I get a chance to watch one. Plus, this title shows a certain sense of humor. Anyway, this track includes an adaptation of “Japanese Army March” from the original Godzilla film (Gojira is the movie’s original title). I have a feeling that movie would take on a different vibe if you played this track while watching it, and I hope someone makes a cut doing just that. On this track, Kenny Kosek is joined by Marty Cutler on banjo, and the two deliver some wonderful and interesting work. This track was recorded in 2016.
I grew up hearing quite a bit of Irish folk music (my last name is Doherty, after all), and so it makes sense that I would also love bluegrass, for there are many similarities. Anyway, “Texas,” despite its title, makes me think more of Ireland (and perhaps Scotland) than Texas. It contains some beautiful work on fiddle. This one was recorded in 2013. Then Kenny Kosek pairs “Da New Rigged Ship” with “Polly Grand,” the pace picking up during the transition, the track becoming lively and loose and delightful. There are some surprising and exciting touches on both fiddle and banjo. That’s followed by “Bill Cheatham.” Marty Cutler plays banjo on this one, and this track too has some unexpected moments, which I love, keeping this traditional number fresh. This track was recorded in 2022. Then we get a really nice rendition of Fiddlin’ Doc Roberts’ “Deer Walk,” coming at us at a good pace and engaging us in a group dance. This track was recorded in 2013.
Mark Cosgrove joins Kenny Kosek on guitar on “Evan’s Farewell,” composed by Alan Kaufman. This one makes me smile from beginning to end. It features beautiful, wonderful, joyous work from both musicians. This is a live track recorded in 2006, and the audience applause is included at the end. This is a piece that Kenny Kosek also included on his 1997 release, Angelwood. It is followed by another live recording, “Maiden’s Prayer,” this one from 2013. It has a sweet country vibe, and features Andy Statman on mandolin. It is another of the disc’s highlights. From that same show on October 19, 2013 comes “Forked Deer,” an energetic number featuring some exciting playing, particularly on banjo. Andy Statman is again on mandolin, delivering great stuff, as always. The album concludes with “William Cheatham,” an original composition by Kenny Kosek, inspired by having played “Bill Cheatham” for so many years. On this one he is joined by Marty Cutler on banjo. The banjo has an interesting and compelling sound, some of it having been digitally processed. This track was recorded in 2016.
CD Track List
- Streak O’ Lean Streak O’ Fat
- Twisted Sage
- Lost River Medley
- Turkeys In The Straw
- Lady Hamilton
- Jewish Dance
- Gojira County Breakdown
- Texas
- Da New Rigged Ship/Polly Grand
- Bill Cheatham
- Deer Walk
- Evan’s Farewell
- Maiden’s Prayer
- Forked Deer
- William Cheatham
Twisted Sage was released on September 6, 2024 on Shefa Records.
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