Yonder

The CD case defines Yonder: within sight, but not near, further. That might define the music on this disc as well. Whatever they were trying to get on tape here, it is still up "yonder." It isn't that the music is lousy, any collaboration between bluegrass favorites Peter Rowan and Jerry Douglas couldn't be lousy, it is just that the music never seems to really heat up. Almost all of the tunes here are mid-tempo songs, and there aren't any brilliant solos, mostly just competent, communicative playing between the two. The music is nice, the playing is nice, the singing is nice. The album is disappointing because of the sense that these two could have stepped it up a notch. Why aren't they having more fun? The album is about one-third traditional arrangements, one-third covers, and one-third original Rowan tunes. The most interesting of the Peter Rowan compositions is "You Taught Me How to Lose," which is reminiscent of a Hank Williams song, fitting in well with these traditional songs. ~ David Lavin