self-released

Thanks to the soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou? and the
national
craze surrounding it, bluegrass is finally getting the recognition the music
deserves. Hopefully, listeners are looking beyond the soundtrack and
discovering the wealth of talented musicians the genre boasts.
What was once seen as backporch hillbilly music has gained a new and
warranted respectability thanks to the Coen brothers' film.

The Larry Keel Experience would be an excellent start. Keel, a flat pick
guitarist, is a modern traditionalist who teams up with dobro player Curtis
Burch (of New Grass Revival) to create a disc that is both musically and
emotionally fulfilling. Keel and company have created music that is
accessible and spirited and still technically challenging. The interplay
between Keel and Burch is tremendous and would be enough to make this
project
a success. Add a largely stellar collection of tunes and it's nearly
irresistible.

Keel was raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and brings an
authenticity to the music that many younger bands lack. At the behest of the
late Mark Vann (Leftover Salmon) he began showing up at the Telluride
Bluegrass Festival and winning its guitar competition.

Ten of the disc's 14 tracks are covers and Keel has mined a great
collection.
The late John Hartford's "First Girl I Ever Loved" is hauntingly beautiful.
The traditional "Little Liza Jane" gets the raucous treatment the tune calls
for. Keel is an impressive writer as well. His tunes (especially "Three
Kings") sit with the tried-and-true cover material. The Experience also
finds
a nice balance between the picking frenzy rave-ups and slower, introspective
tunes. For example, the tension of the lighting fast precision of "Black
Ridge Ramble" is offset by the slowly paced emotional weight of
"First Girl I Ever Loved," possibly the stellar disc's greatest moment.
Vocals are split between Keel, his bass playing wife Jenny, and Burch. Larry
Keel's voice is appropriately gruff and smoky. Jenny Keel's style fits the
Western swing tunes like a kid glove. Burch's yearning howl could be more
fully utilized judging from the results of the opening "In the Plan".
Keel and Burch are great collaborators. Let's hope they take to the road
together.