Miles & Miles

The Larry Keel Experience's first album Miles and Miles includes guest appearances by a number of friends to help get things off the ground. The core group consists of vocalist/guitarist Larry Keel, bassist Jenny Keel, and mandolin player Christen Hubbard. The title cut kicks the album off, a wonderful original by Larry Keel featuring guests the Acoustic Syndicate. The energy of this song continues for seven minutes, with lots of room left for instrumental workouts. Perhaps because of the large cast of performers, Miles and Miles proves eclectic. Both Duke Ellington's "Caravan" and Fats Waller's "Honey Suckle Rose" are covered, with fitting vocals by Liz Riddick and Caroline Pond, respectively. Larry Keel has written five of the tracks, including an affecting "Old Man Kelsey's" and the 12-minute instrumental, "Trance." Keel's rough-hewn vocals and laid-back delivery prove just right for songs like "Mars's Cry." The instrumental virtuosity of all involved cannot be overstated. On "The World's Waiting for a Sunrise," Jason Krekel -- who would become more involved on the group's third album -- joins the band for a jazzy instrumental. Here, the band plays with the same finesse and energy of the Tony Rice Unit, pushing ahead with confidence and style. Another interesting aspect of the Larry Keel Experience's instrumental work is that the band never seems as though they're showing off. On a short rendition of the "Star Trek" theme, they even show that they know how to have a good time (and don't miss a very short version of "Legalize It" on the hidden track). The Larry Keel Experience's debut delivers great acoustic music, and stands as a forerunner of promising things to come. ~ Ronnie Lankford, Jr.