Jim Hurst – A Box of Chocolates
A multiple-IBMA award winner and long-time member of Claire Lynchs touring band, Jim Hurst is one of the most versatile acoustic guitar players on the contemporary bluegrass circuit. Hurst augments his flatpicking with hints of Merle Travis and Jerry Reed, bending and sliding until his notes take on an almost vocal quality. As its title implies, A Box Of Chocolates is a sampler, the perfect showcase for Hursts versatility. Theres newgrass (Chocolate Chaise Lounge), gypsy swing (Mando Bounce), and swampy funk (C5 A La Mode). In addition to those solid originals, Hurst scats his way through Nine Pound Hammer and shows delicate restraint on the traditional Mary Of The Wild Moor. Hursts list of guests is long and impressive Sam Bush, Mark Schatz, Scott Vestal, Michael Cleveland, Viktor Krauss and that barely scratches the surface. Still, the most powerful moments on this album simply involve Hurst along with his guitar.