Jim and Jennie and the Pinetops

You’ve heard of bluegrass. Maybe even the term for progessive bluegrass, "newgrass." How about "song grass"? That’s what I think Jim and Jennie and the Pinetops are doing in their first release for Bloodshot Records, Rivers Roll On By. Clich Read More for a full review of this CD!

You’ve heard of bluegrass. Maybe even the term for progessive bluegrass, "newgrass."

How about "song grass"?

That’s what I think Jim and Jennie and the Pinetops are doing in their first release for Bloodshot Records, "Rivers Roll On By."

It’s the song, not just the manic banjo pickin’ or fiddle fiddlin’. And eight out of the 13 are ORIGINALS. Not stuff written by somebody planted in an unmarked grave in some old hilltown.

No disrespect intended, of course. After all, this is "roots" music. And they do perform some traditional songs, and a couple written by the late bluegrass legend Don Reno.

If you’re an old-timey country song person, one who likes simple, unadorned music, you’ll probably like "Rivers Roll On By." And if you’re a bluegrass aficianodo, you’ll probably like the CD as well, because there is some apickin’ and agrinnin’ too.

Jim Krewson and Jennie Benford come from a past not particulary inundated with bluegrass—in fact Jim was a hardcore punker (though instead of screams or grunts he now sings with a “high and lonesome” sound).  And reflecting the punk ethic, they don’t mess around with songs that go on forever.

Despite having thirteen tracks, the CD clocks in under forty minutes, which is rare these days. Maybe Jim and Jennie are starting a healthy new trend: self-editing. Unless you’re Lennon and McCartney--and they wrote and recorded mostly short tunes--chances are you can leave some of your precious musical ideas on the "cutting room floor" so to speak, or for another album. Just because a CD can contain a lot more stuff than vinyl doesn’t mean you’ve got the material to fill it up. Leave the listener hungry for more!

The originals are simple, likeable and grow on you with each listen. My favorite track is Jennie’s "Stars Fall," which has her singing in a fragile voice as pure as a mountain stream before it’s used for beer. Her "Mt. St. Helens" is also memorable.

Jim and Jennie and the Pinetops perform at the Narrows in Fall River, Massachusetts this Friday, August 5th. Tickets are still available.  They play the Newport Folk Festival—happening down the road from Fall River—the next day, but it will cost you a lot more!

Three bottlecaps for Rivers Roll On By. Good stuff, but nothing that will knock you out of your saddle.  I’m looking forward to seeing them Friday night in Fall River!




Jim and Jennie and the Pinetops Website
Visit Bloodshot Records’ Website

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