Jerry Douglas – The Best Kept Secret
Dobro master Jerry Douglas has switched labels, but he’s sticking with his penchant for recording solo projects that are mostly bluegrass-free. As with Restless On The Farm (Sugar Hill, 1998), Douglas also features a slew of guest artists, which gives him occasion to branch out in a variety of supporting roles.
Sam Bush and Bela Fleck join him for “Who’s Your Uncle?”, an acoustic skirmish that harkens back to their Strength In Numbers sessions. Noted jazz guitar stylist Bill Frisell fleshes out the greasy “Lil’ RoRo”, and John Fogerty does a fine vocal turn on Bob Wills’ memorable “Swing Blues No. 1”: “Lord, my baby’s got something she calls a stingaree/And it really drives me crazy when she turns it loose on me.” Alison Krauss’ funky rhythm-and-blues crooning on “Back In Love Again” provides the album’s most sensual moment.
In addition to his dobro work, there’s also a healthy dose of Douglas on electric lap steel. The album opener “She Makes Me Want To Sing” is a duel with rocker Derek Trucks. “U R My Flower” is Douglas’ surreal reimagining of the Flatt & Scruggs classic, and the fuzzed-out “Ya Ya Etc” spotlights the steel’s voice-like qualities.
Backing musicians Gabe Witcher (violin), Keith Sewell (guitar), Derek Jones (bass), and Shannon Forrest (percussion) dig into jazz, rock, blues and bluegrass with equal competence. Viktor Krauss also guests on bass, and Flecktone Jeff Coffin makes an appearance on sax.