Bluegrass Review

Dick Staber
Of Graves and Epitaphs- REBA 5056

-One of the nicest things about bluegrass is that there's room for individual effort- a lot of good music gets recorded independently, outside the high-pressure music business.  This album, recorded on Staber's own label with production as good as any commercial studio work, is an excellent example.  Staber works with Don Stover; Canadian readers may have caught their show at Carlisle this year.  He's also worked with Del McCoury, and recorded a mandolin album for Rounder.  This one's what they call a "concept album" - it's almost all about death.  But it's not really morbid (think back...how many bluegrass songs do you know about death in some form or another?  Just about as many as about unrequited love.) - some of the songs are matter-of-fact, some about despair, some strange or mournful, and some triumphant.  It's enlivened by Staber's pleasant voice, and some really fine picking and gospel harmony.  The mandolin styles are interesting.  The plays Hollis Brown with a drone-string solo mandolin, and it sounds a bit like a dulcimer.  The medley is clean and cheerful, and the traditional playing on other songs is excellent.  Staber's original compositions are also fine; Kittatiny Ridge is a classic old-time fiddle tune in a minor key, Buzzard's Glory is a funny animal dance song, Molly's Gone is a sensitive, sad ballad, and Call Collect is soaked with traditional pathos.  Also noteworthy is the fine dobro playing that moves St. James Infirmary from blues into bluegrass.  The record is not distributed commercially, but can be picked up at festivals, or by writing to REBA RECORDS.  -KB