| Many of us couldn't wait to bash Skaggs upon his 1997 return to roots,
Bluegrass Rules! Poor Ricky, sniffle, couldn't record his beloved bluegrass
for a dozen years because of, sob, "contractual obligations." Of course,
Bluegrass Rules! turned out to be an explosive record, and as usual, Skaggs
had redeemed himself on the sheer basis of his talent. The 1999 follow-up,
Ancient Tones, is a worthy sequel, as Skaggs and his stellar Kentucky
Thunder band (with Stuart Duncan and Jerry Douglas helping out) continue
to pray at the feet of the gods--Monroe and Stanley--in fresh and exciting
ways. The arrangements are more ambitious and in general more subtle than
on Bluegrass Rules! but are no less rewarding. Skaggs's own vocals scale
new heights, especially on the chilling a cappella introduction to the
eight-minute "Little Bessie," which then adds bodhran and harp as if to
illustrate bluegrass' connection to its Celtic roots. Maybe we'll get
to bash him yet, but certainly not this time around. |
