I've known Mac's name for awhile, but didn't know much about him or his music, until about a week ago when a couple of his CDs showed up in the mail. One is his CD "I'm Going That Way" on Copper Creek, and the other was a new self-produced re-release CD of music featuring Mac and his wife Jenny.
Well, I look forward to listening to the Mac and Jenny CD, but I have been so captivated by his other CD that I haven't listened to much else over the past week. Mac is a very fine singer and fiddle player, and he is accompanied by wonderful musicians including Jenny. But it's his banjo playing that really, really grabbed me. From the first tune, "French Waltz" (which is not a waltz and probably not French either) he's a wonderful banjo player whose playing is both traditional and very fresh. They say comparisons are odious, but several times I thought that Mac's playing reminded me a bit of Walt Koken's -- not a lot, but a bit -- in case that touchstone helps.
I really look forward to spending more time with these two discs and may write a more comprehensive review once I do. I understand Mac makes banjos and I look forward to learning more about those too. Until then, I will just say:
Highly recommended!!
John
1 comment :
A while back I bought a CD from CD Baby with Mac and Jenny Trainham. And i like it a lot. They both play guitar on this one, and sing harmonies in the tradition of the Carter Family and the like.
She plays flat top, and he plays some very great soloes on an arch top.
Being a guitarist myself, I can't help but appreciating the fine job he does.
And now that you mention that he does a fine job on the banjo too, I simply have to check it out. I didn't know, but look forward to hear it.
Jesper
Big Hungry Joe (old time band)
Denmark
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