Side by Side

Bluegrass is in, and as a result, bluegrass bands are proliferating like blades of fescue in springtime. Blue Ridge started carving out its place in the crowded field in 1999 with Common Ground, and in 2002 with Come Along With Me. Now, mandolinist Alan Bibey, guitarist Junior Sisk, fiddler Alan Johnson, bassist Ed Biggerstaff, and banjoist Joey Cox return in 2003 with Side by Side, an album steeped in tradition, but never a mere throwback. Perhaps realizing that it couldn't build a reputation on having two guys in the band named "Alan", Blue Ridge has developed a couple of strong calling cards. First, the band adds a number of original songs, including the title cut, to an eclectic song list. Both Sisk and Bibey adeptly handle most of the lead vocals, altering between old-fashioned heartbreakers like "You Better Get," and slightly more up-to-date heartbreakers like "Do What You Want to Do."The glue that holds it all together is the group's tight harmony, especially on gospel numbers like "Land of Light," and their all-around crack musicianship. Side by Side ends with the rabble-rousing "Pocket Full of Money," a fine ode to blowing all of your money to have a good time. Fans of Blue Ridge will likewise be happy to blow a little of their money on Side by Side. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.