Sep 25
New live album coming from Mountain Heart
Mountain HeartNASHVILLE, TN — Mountain Heart, one of the most talented, versatile and explosive sextets in the acoustic firmament, will offer a special treat to fans new and old on October 23rd with the release of “Road That Never Ends” (The Live Album) on Rural Rhythm Records. Building on the group’s already recognized strengths, “Road That Never Ends” ups the ante by bringing new elements of rock, blues and jazz to its signature blend of bluegrass, gospel and jamgrass, underlining the sextet’s unique role in the world of acoustic music.
Recorded May 26th, 2007 in the intimacy of The Ark in Ann Arbor, Michigan, “The Road…” represents Mountain Heart’s first live recording, and as their faithful listeners well know, it is in front of a live audience that this award-winning combo is truly in its exuberant, celebratory element. Presenting nearly an hour’s worth of tried-and-true fan favorites along with some choice new additions destined to lock-in even upon first hearing.
The recording also showcases the band’s newest addition, guitarist and primary lead singer Josh Shilling. At only 23 years old but with a wealth of experience and talent, Shilling’s elastic, expressive tenor handles the traditional high lonesome sound with uncanny flair even as his way with ballads (as on his own seductive, heartbreaking “Who’s the Fool Now?”) and soulful, gut-bucket blues (the low-down original “It Works Both Ways” and a scintillating interpretation of the Allman Brothers’ eternal “Whipping Post”) further expand Mountain Heart’s already-enviable stylistic range and command.
Mandolinist Adam Steffy has garnered six consecutive IBMA nominations as best in his field while fiddler, founding member and producer of The Road…, Jim Van Cleve earned a 2006 GRAMMY nomination for ‘Best Country Instrumental’ with his solo disc “No Apologies,” (on Rural Rhythm Records) and the rest of the gang (co-founder/banjo wizard Barry Abernathy, bassist Jason Moore and guitarist Clay Jones) routinely dazzle crowds with their individual prowess, intuitive, extra-sensory group interplay and–always–an uncommon knack for crowd-pleasing showmanship.
The disc features scintillating live versions of fan favorites such as Steve Gulley’s “I’m Just Here to Ride the Train,” a showboating workout on the beloved “Heart Like a Road Sign,” Barry Abernathy’s stellar reading of Pat McLaughlin’s soaring “God and Everybody,” and rollicking, kinetic instrumentals “Devil’s Courthouse” (from Van Cleve’s solo disc) and the lights-out closer “#6 Barn Dance” (which somehow falls just short of setting the Michigan woodlands ablaze).
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An extra-special treat is the welcome return of “The Gospel Train.” Mountain Heart’s awe-inspiring rendition of the well-traveled traditional roof-raiser helped them earn an IBMA award for ‘Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year’ in 2002 with the album “The Journey,” but their then-label has since folded, leaving this inspirational evergreen out-of-print until now.
Change…as we all know…can be taxing, particularly when it involves the personnel of a much-loved touring band. But with “Road That Never Ends,” Mountain Heart meets the challenge, keeping the home fires burning even as it strikes out for–and conquers–new musical territory. Their hearts may lie in the mountains, but wherever the road takes them, these acoustic music masters will always make it feel like home.
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