Coyote Grace 'Now Take Flight' - Mile After Mile

The first thing you notice on this most recent of five albums from Coyote Grace is the traditional instruments of a bluegrass band work at a different tempo and styling than we might expect from even the most adventurous of todays grassy bands. So Bluegrass it ain't nor is it folk but instead it's a jazz tinged acoustic set of originals written mostly by Joe Stevens and Ingrid Elizabeth with one from the other third Michael Connolly and a killer version of Springsteen's "I'm On Fire" to complete the mix.

To identify a group that I had never heard of, before getting this little beauty in the post I have nicked a few lines from their website bio. The first thing you notice on this most recent of five albums from Coyote Grace is the traditional instruments of a bluegrass band work at a different tempo and styling than we might expect from even the most adventurous of todays grassy bands. So Bluegrass it ain't nor is it folk but instead it's a jazz tinged acoustic set of originals written mostly by Joe Stevens and Ingrid Elizabeth with one from the other third Michael Connolly and a killer version of Springsteen's "I'm On Fire" to complete the mix.

Armed with a bevy of acoustic instruments from guitar and upright bass to banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and accordion, Coyote Grace’s Joe Stevens, Ingrid Elizabeth and Michael Connolly fill theater, club, and festival stages with a wash of sound seemingly far too expansive for three musicians, mixing bluegrass and blues, soul and Southern twang into a unique sound that hovers just beyond the edge of ‘familiar.

This is obviously a musical democracy with all sharing the vast array of instruments and vocal duties. Ingrid seems to handle percussion and Michael pitches in with hammond on a few tracks but neither of these overpower the mostly lead vocals or the tasteful harmonies and classy instrumentation. The longest track at 5.21 is powerful bass driven and vocal piece that showcases the talents of Ingrid on both. This is followed by the album finisher and title track a very strong and eminently listenable mainly mandolin insrumental that draws you in and insists that you return to track 1 and start the process all over again. 

I can't calssify or categorise this album and nor would I want to. It's a little island of quality modern acoustic music in a sea of mindless pop drivel that we are forced to listen to on mainstream radio these days. These are real musicians who haven't sold out, bringing us a collection their own originals in a style that suits them and is a pleasure to listen to.

I think a visit to their back catalogue is now required to try to see where this very very enjoyable project gets its history and I'll also have to visit my Girlyman CD to hear again what Ingrid Elizabeth does on her breaks from Coyote Grace.