High on a Mountain by The Modern Grass

Just four words: I Love This Album.

I love bluegrass. And this is smokin’ hot bluegrass, but there’s more to it than that. It’s the original songwriting that really puts this album head and shoulders above many other great modern bluegrass records.

Tom Terrell, the lead singer and lead guitarist, is a fine songwriter, capable of writing fun and bouncy bluegrass tunes (like High on the Mountain) one minute, and fine, thoughtful bluegrass ballads the next.

His songs have a deep perspective on life and feel timeless. They are schooled in the long history of old timey and bluegrass music.

And, Tom is quite the singer. Hearing his plaintive voice wail on Like You’re Gone and Waiting on the Sun always makes my heart open wide. And his yodel on Tears and Laughter makes me want to laugh with delight and yodel along.

If you ever see me driving my car down the road with my mouth open wide, you can bet that I’m listening, and singing along, to this disc.

The whole band is tight, they are stellar players who play well together: they can smoke out great tunes and they can also lay back and ease into sweet singing, with perfect bluegrass harmonies.

I’ve seen these guys live many times and I’m always impressed by their musicianship.