Jett's Creek - "Supposed To Be"

Jett’s Creek is an Ohio-based band that apparently enjoys a good deal of regional popularity — and they’re looking to spread their wings into the national bluegrass circuit.

“Supposed to Be,” the group’s first CD, just might prove to be a good ticket for the band to ride — and ride far. I listened to the disc about two and a half spins worth on Saturday night on my way to and from a friend’s house who was throwing one of those freeze-your-butts-off, late October social happenings in my part of the country known as a weinie roast.

I didn’t read any of the liner notes, just took a glance at the cover and assumed I was going to be listening to another self-produced CD by yet another regional band. Rest assured, fitting into that category is not at all a bad thing. I’ve listened to and reviewed some darned good music from these regional favorites, some of which are simply gems and worthy rivals to their big-label, star-power acts. After my introduction to Jett’s Creek, I’m going to put them into that category.

“Supposed to Be” is a very enjoyable, well-produced and well-executed CD. The liner notes, which I did eventually get around to reading, add a hefty take-notice punch to this group. They are written by Ron Thomason, patriarch of Dry Branch Fire Squad.

Adam McIntosh is the link between Jett’s Creek and Thomason. When he was 18, McIntosh joined Dry Branch Fire Squad, a gig that would last three and a half years. He sang lead and harmony with the band and also played guitar and mandolin.

That gig alone doesn’t qualify for “seasoned pro” status, but McIntosh is evidentally a driving force behind this family band, which also includes his sister, Angie Young on vocals, and his dad, John McIntosh on guitar and vocals. On “Supposed to Be,” Adam McIntosh furnishes some mighty fine banjo and lead guitar work. Thomason, incidentally, offers high words of praise for his former bandmate, who co-produced the CD with Young.

Other musicians on the CD are Pearl Bradley on mandolin (a regular band member), and guest Evan McGregor on fiddle and Tim Kidd on bass. All turn in quite capable performances.

From gleaning material on the band’s Web site, “Highway 40 Blues” is a fan favorite during Jett’s Creek’s concerts. That’s easy to believe after giving the recorded version a listen.

The song selection consists of original tunes and an electic selection of covers. Track No. 1 is the Larry Cordle scorcher, “Highway 40 Blues,” which was pushed into mega-hit status by Ricky Skaggs back when he was courting the Top 40 country music crowd. My immediate thought was that Jett’s Creek might be pushing things a bit by not only covering this tune, but being blatant enough about it to have the song open the CD. By the time the cut’s final notes had been silenced for Track 2, I was ready to admit an error in my initial judgment. From gleaning material on the band’s Web site, “Highway 40 Blues” is a fan favorite during Jett’s Creek’s concerts. That’s easy to believe after giving the recorded version a listen.

One of my personal favorites on this CD is “A Song for Life,” an older tune written by Rodney Crowell. Years ago, I fell in love with this song when Kathy Mattea covered it on one of her CDs. Country superstar Alan Jackson also had a hit with it. Young, who does a bulk of the lead vocal work on the CD, delivers a soulful rendition of this wonderful song.

Soulful, in fact, is a good description of Young’s vocal work on the CD. Not soulful, as in rhythm and blues fashion, but soulful as extra special delivery from the heart. She shines on two of her own songs, including the title track, “Supposed to Be” and “The Prayer,” the latter delivered in a capella style on the CD.

John McIntosh also proves his worth with a couple of composing efforts on the CD, “Now I’m Through with You” and the cleverly written “Two Ships.”

While Adam McIntosh gets a lot of credit for putting the instrumental polish on this recording, the vocals are what might be expected by a family band. They’re strong and tight.

According to Jett’s Creek’s Web site, the band is already having some success in booking gigs outside of the immediate Ohio area. Upcoming are band appearances in Nashville, Colorado and Virginia. If the group’s performances are cut from the same mold as this first recording, I’d venture saying it’s time the band starting shopping around for a tour bus.

A couple of postscripts: Since the CD was recorded and released, bass player Gary Selby has joined the group. And, “Supposed to Be” is being marketed via CD Baby. A link is on the band’s Web site, www.jetts-creek.com.