The term ‘Americana’ has come to encompass a broad swath of roots-based music. Bluegrass is an integral element, though, and Tommy Webb, who hails from Kentucky (usually considered the birthplace of Bluegrass), delivers a fine collection that draws on musical tradition while addressing very real and very current concerns afflicting the American Heartland.
The other thing about bluegrass music, of course, is that it’s not a commercial proposition. Riches are rarely forthcoming, so a performer’s passion is pretty much a given. Webb wears his heart on his sleeve here, whether he’s covering classics (“River Of Jordan,” “Little Sadie”) or delivering his own passionate plea on behalf of America’s farmers via the title track.
Webb, who contributes guitar and banjo in addition to his slightly nasal vocals, wrote a handful of the tunes here, covering happiness (“Everything You Do”), hearbreak (“What You Weren’t Thinking Of”), faith (“Fall Upon Him”), and bluegrass itself ("If It Weren’t For Bluegrass Music (I’d Go Crazy)”) in addition to the plight of the land and those who work it.
Additional covers range from “Teardrop Inn” (cheatin’) to “No Room Inside Your Heart,” “Something In My Heart,” and “She Told Me,” all dealing with the timeless topic of unrequited love. Ricky Skaggs’ “A Hard Row To Hoe” again examines the hardships facing family farms, while “Good Day To Run” dreams of chucking it all in a desperate dash for freedom from care and worry. Ralph Stanley’s “Clinch Mountain Backstep” provides a fitting closer as Webb and company indulge in some dazzling fretwork that features intuitive interplay from all concerned.
Webb’s band is augmented here by guest and producer Ron Stewart, who contributes fiddle throughout as well as a variety of strings on “River Of Jordan.” Names aren’t nationally known but everyone performs with instrumental aplomb, all joining in on harmony vocals to excellent effect.
Bluegrass remains a relatively small sub-genre within the catch-all category of Americana. Judging by Tommy Webb’s Heartland, though, it’s as close to the soul and the soil of the nation as music can be. It’s music as unpretentious as an old barn, as real and as honest as a bountiful crop and the dirt it comes from.
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Tommy Webb’s sophomore release is another refreshing set of 12 traditional bluegrass numbers including three originals. Tommy’s gentle but powerful high lonesome vocals are showcased wonderfully on the title track ballad, which also showcases producer Ron Stewart’s fiddle. The arrangements are tight and crisp and the vocals and harmonies are clear and upfront, which makes for a nice production. Favorites include two originals - the catchy single If It Weren’t For Bluegrass Music I’d Go Crazy, the easy-going, banjo-led It’s All Behind Me Now, and the uptempo Jimmy Martin/Vernon Derrick instrumental Arab Bounce. From start to finish, Tommy Webb has delivered another wonderful traditional bluegrass project.BMP
Many big label bands fail at producing a recording as good as this one. Everything expected in a quality release is here, as is the sense that from just hearing the opening rhythm of their cover of Larry Cordle's "Lonesome For You," this is an album worthy of attention. That rhythm, from Tommy Webb's guitar, Chris Goble's banjo, Kenny O'Quinn's mandolin, and Tad Huff's bass, all percolating, chugging, rhumba and rock, is hardly revolutionary in itself, but the band does it so well, it sounds refreshingly fresh. No sooner does the rhythm set, in leaps Webb with his highly distinctive and expressive voice, and they're off.
