Spring Creek "Way Up On A Mountain" (Rebel Records)

Way Up on a Mountain is my introduction to the Colorado-based Bluegrass band, Spring Creek. Their new music and my old ears made for a pleasant meeting.

Way Up on a Mountain is the band’s third CD and its first on a major bluegrass label. Judging from the band’s talents and staying power– they’ve been together since 2004 — I doubt if this is its only CD to bear the Rebel label. The group’s longevity is evident on Way Up on a Mountain, both in the instrumental work and the nice, tight harmonies.

Obviously looking for a statement to make about its music, the band’s first self-produced CD was entitled, Rural & Cosmic Bluegrass. Although the band definitely sports a newer, (cosmic?) edge to its sound, the freshness doesn’t snuff out the traditional roots these four musicians obviously embrace. Peers also obviously like this group’s music. Spring Creek won both the Telluride and Rockygrass band contests in 2007.

“My Love Is Way Up On A Mountain,” the opening track, does a nice job of letting the listener know where this group comes from and where it’s going on Way Up on a Mountain. There’s plenty of hard drive, good harmonies, interesting songs and that fresh spark bursting here and there to keep the listener interested.

“Tangled in the Pines,” has that mournful sound that’s been visited countless times in classic bluegrass ballads. And wow, was I surprised at the band’s cover of the old Ricky Nelson ballad, “Lonesome Town.” Do I really remember when this song was hit?

Spring Creek (L-R) Alex Johnstone, Jessica Smith, Taylor Sims & Chris Elliott

Several of the tunes here are originals, including a couple of instrumentals by Chris Elliott, the band’s very capable banjo player. Spring Creek obviously is a democracy with all members getting their hands in the songwriting and singing chores.

Besides Elliott, other members of the group are guitarist Taylor Sims, Alex Johnstone on mandolin and Jessica Smith on bass.

Fiddle ace Michael Cleveland adds a nice touch throughout the CD and Sally Van Meter on resophonic guitar is featured on three cuts.

Keep watching for this band. Although its current schedule shows only Western dates, Spring Creek surely has the ability to entertain audiences at big festivals on the eastern side of the Mississippi River.