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I always get a kick out of references that among my circle of [fairly
well-educated] friends I seem to be the only one that understands…
the only one that gets the joke, as it were. When I first heard the
title track from Adrienne Young's The Art Of Virtue,
I immediately made the connection to the Benjamin Franklin
text of the same name... the book that I had spent many hours reading
through as a younger adult. But I guessed that I was the only person
who read the book, and so figured that Ms. Young must have been going
for something else when she titled her album. Imagine how excited
I was when I learned, by opening this CD and finding a small pamphlet
with the words "And all that occur'd to Benjamin Franklin at
that time to be necessary or desirable" that Adrienne Young knew
my joke. And she was keen enough to enclose this little book extolling
the "Thirteen Virtues" as originally espoused by Franklin
as a part of her new record… which earns you big points in my
book, missy.
The Art Of Virtue is fifteen tracks of pure bluegrass gospel
bliss - tracks that yearn for something higher and better with every
note and every breath. The title track has a very updated-yet-traditional
sounding bluegrass style, replete with brilliant fiddle playing and
dynamic vocals that sit easily atop a shiny bed of rhythm. If this
song doesn't get your toes tapping, you should probably consult a
doctor. "Hills & Hollers" conscientiously tackles the
problem of the America's disappearing farms and ranches, being replaced
by cities and sprawl. My favorite moment of the record comes on the
dimly illuminated dirge of "My Sin Is Pride". This song
is filled with excellent harmony vocals, and a sense of purpose that
rises above most all of the music that I've heard in the past year.
In its brief, yet purposeful, moments, the song serves to hit directly
in the heart, reminding of lost opportunities and tears shed over
occurrences that seem so insignificant in retrospect. This is one
of those songs that belong in that tightly closed circle of classics
that reminds each of us of the preciousness of life and our loved
ones, and how it can all be gone in a quick moment.
Adrienne has assembled quite a little cast of musicians to help her
out on this record. Will Kimbrough adds his unique and superb
talents on guitar, also lending a hand producing the record, I would
guess. Tim O'Brien sings some vocals and lays his skilled hand
on the bouzouki (such a cool instrument) while Matthew Combs
saws away remarkably on the fiddle. Adrienne displays not only her
talent for songwriting and singing - her voice is heavenly, akin to
Alison Krauss, only a touch sweeter - but also her concrete
grasp on banjo picking. There are a few moments on the record where
this collected talent outshines the need for vocals to carry a song.
"Bonaparte's Retreat" and "Golden Ticket" are
instrumental moments of bluegrass bliss, the music attaining that
perfect balance amongst all its contained parts that easily sets it
far distant from much of the contemporary newgrass scene.
-Embo Blake
Track Listing:
1. Art Of Virtue
2. Bonaparte's Retreat/My Love Is In America
3. Hills And Hollers
4. Jump The Broom
5. My Sin Is Pride
6. My Love Will Keep
7. Ella Arkansas
8. Rastus Russell
9. Wedding Rings
10. Don't Get Weary
11. Golden Ticket
12. Walls Of Jericho
13. It's All The Same
14. Farther Along/Billy In The Low Ground
15. Brokedown Palace
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Adrienne
Young and Little Sadie
