Special Consensus "Signs" (Pinecastle)

Signs, a new CD by Special Consensus, was released this week on the Pinecastle Records label.

For founder and band-leading banjo picker Greg Cahill of Chicago, the release goes a bit beyond landmark status. After all, it’s the band’s 14th album in 34 years. Then, there’s the 38 band alumni who can boast of being under Cahill’s wing and tutelage at some point in their careers.

Signs, described by some critics as a shift in direction for Special C, could also be construed as more of the same — utilizing new band lineups to strut the new members’ stuff while clinging to a brand of bluegrass that’s definitely got that established Special Consensus brand.

“I’m not a lead singer, so I can either try to mold them, which doesn’t necessarily accentuate their strengths, or I can look at change as a positive thing,” Cahill said in a press release announcing the new CD. ” And if I do that, one of the things that keeps me going is the freshness – we always try to keep doing some of the old songs, but people are excited because they’re going to be putting something in themselves, too.”

Signs is heavily loaded with original material from the band members, including the title cut written by mandolin player Ashby Frank. Like most recordings by Cahill’s group, Signs is also a variety garden, a little traditional, a little newgrass, some gospel, a swing tune and a catchy instrumental.

Other members of the group are guitarist Justin Carbone and bass player David Thomas.

Guests on Signs include Randy Kohrs on dobro, fiddler Tim Crouch and and vocalist Sonya Issacs, contributing harmony on the Ronnie Bowman-penned “Footprints.”

Purchase information is available at Pinecastle Records, http://www.pinecastle.com.