Search - Jerry Douglas :: Best Kept Secret

Another chapter in Flux's music book illustrates the creativ

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 10/25/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 52:02 -- Just about two decades ago, Jerry Douglas had already established himself as the premier dobro player on the bluegrass scene. Fine albums on the Rounder, MCA and Sugar Hill labels were one of his legacies from the 1980s and 90s. "Slide Rule" and "Lookout for Hope" were two stupendous releases. Now associated with growing Koch Records, Douglas now appears headed in new electric directions that match up his resophonic guitars, Fender telecaster and lap steel with drums, B-3 organ, violin, guitars, bass, mandolin, banjo, saxophone and piano. Joining him on the journey are a number of friends, including Sam Bush and Bela Fleck who joined Jerry in the band, Strength in Numbers. Other key quests include Alison Krauss, John Fogerty, Bill Frisell, and Derek Trucks.



"The Best Kept Secret" may take a few by surprise. Bluegrass fans expecting a more acoustic or traditional sound will be displeased. On the other hand, fans of progressive country rock will immediately take to the dramatic opening salvo of the 6-minute "She Makes Me Want To Sing," with its driving guitar. The album appears to be a vehicle for Douglas' astonishing creative juices to freely flow, an even the most close-minded traditionalist has to appreciate the hot picking in the upbeat "Who's Your Uncle?" An album of enterprising undertaking, Douglas seems to enjoy the challenge of facing formidable tasks. It's actually pretty cool to hear Alison Krauss getting down and funky on "Back in Love Again." Assuming you like blues and country rock, this is the kind of music that grows on you with repeated listens. On my first few spins of the CD, orchestrated late at night after a long day, I took to the soothing effect of Joe Zawinul's "A Remark You Made" and Bob Willis classic "Swing Blues No. 1," sung by John Fogerty. Guitarist Bill Frisell trading licks on "Lil' RoRo," and Douglas' "Ya Ya etc." are packed with punch and intensity. Musicians appearing on most cuts are Gabe Witcher (violin, B-3), Keith Sewell (guitars), Shannon Forrest (drums, percussion), and Derek Jones (acoustic bass).



While many Nashville artists are getting more country or acoustic and a lot less rock `n' roll, Jerry Douglas is bucking that trend. I won't purport to say that he's going against the grain because he's never had a specific grain to follow. His objective has always been to simply produce stimulating music. With multiple Grammy awards under his belt, Jerry Douglas has the experience and smarts to know exactly what he's doing. His "Best Kept Secret" may be commercial and targeting a younger album-buying demographic. In any case, we know he's come to represent exceptional dobrology with broad influences. His aqueous compositions are full of excitement and energy. It's Playing Time - 52:02 -- Just about two decades ago, Jerry Douglas had already established himself as the premier dobro player on the bluegrass scene. Fine albums on the Rounder, MCA and Sugar Hill labels were one of his legacies from the 1980s and 90s. "Slide Rule" and "Lookout for Hope" were two stupendous releases. Now associated with growing Koch Records, Douglas now appears headed in new electric directions that match up his resophonic guitars, Fender telecaster and lap steel with drums, B-3 organ, violin, guitars, bass, mandolin, banjo, saxophone and piano. Joining him on the journey are a number of friends, including Sam Bush and Bela Fleck who joined Jerry in the band, Strength in Numbers. Other key quests include Alison Krauss, John Fogerty, Bill Frisell, and Derek Trucks.



"The Best Kept Secret" may take a few by surprise. Bluegrass fans expecting a more acoustic or traditional sound will be displeased. On the other hand, fans of progressive country rock will immediately take to the dramatic opening salvo of the 6-minute "She Makes Me Want To Sing," with its driving guitar. The album appears to be a vehicle for Douglas' astonishing creative juices to freely flow, an even the most close-minded traditionalist has to appreciate the hot picking in the upbeat "Who's Your Uncle?" An album of enterprising undertaking, Douglas seems to enjoy the challenge of facing formidable tasks. It's actually pretty cool to hear Alison Krauss getting down and funky on "Back in Love Again." Assuming you like blues and country rock, this is the kind of music that grows on you with repeated listens. On my first few spins of the CD, orchestrated late at night after a long day, I took to the soothing effect of Joe Zawinul's "A Remark You Made" and Bob Willis classic "Swing Blues No. 1," sung by John Fogerty. Guitarist Bill Frisell trading licks on "Lil' RoRo," and Douglas' "Ya Ya etc." are packed with punch and intensity. Musicians appearing on most cuts are Gabe Witcher (violin, B-3), Keith Sewell (guitars), Shannon Forrest (drums, percussion), and Derek Jones (acoustic bass).



While many Nashville artists are getting more country or acoustic and a lot less rock `n' roll, Jerry Douglas is bucking that trend. I won't purport to say that he's going against the grain because he's never had a specific grain to follow. His objective has always been to simply produce stimulating music. With multiple Grammy awards under his belt, Jerry Douglas has the experience and smarts to know exactly what he's doing. His "Best Kept Secret" may be commercial and targeting a younger album-buying demographic. In any case, we know he's come to represent exceptional dobrology with broad influences. His aqueous compositions are full of excitement and energy. It's another chapter in Flux's music book that illustrates the creative genius at work. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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Keeping it fresh

twangmon | Nashville, TN USA | 11/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Known for playing wicked bluegrass Dobro with Alison Krauss & Union Station, and adding vibey squareneck holler to hundreds of country albums, resonator king Jerry Douglas reveals exciting new sides of his musical persona on his latest solo record. Whether picking vocoder-drenched lap steel, trading hot licks with Derek Trucks, probing spacey blues with Bill Frisell, paying tribute to Weather Report with Joe Zawinul's "A Remark You Made," or tearing through hi-octane, new-acoustic riffage with Sam Bush and Béla Fleck, Douglas pushes his Tipton bar into fresh, adventurous realms. His fat, squishy electric tones contrast beautifully with his taut acoustic colors, and, as always, his intonation is perfect -- even at synapse-frying tempos. Krauss and John Fogerty each provide guest vocals (Krauss tackles L.T.D.'s funky 1977 hit "Back in Love Again," a real departure for her), but otherwise the album is an instrumental affair. The Best Kept Secret sets a new benchmark for lap slide virtuosity."

A Master at work

Michael Wheeler | Las Vegas, Nevada United States | 02/21/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jerry Douglas first caught my attention as the dobro player for Allison Krauss and Union Station. He has been called the Jimi Hendrix of the dobro.

Jerry is always in demand and has played with a list of artists too numerous to name.

I was at my local record store and saw this in the Bluegrass section. I was hesitant to buy this at first but decided, what the heck and bought it.

What I heard was not quite what I expected, but is none the less caught my attention.

Jerry has assembled Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Allison Krauss and the legandary Rocker John Fogerty to sing and play on this album. You also hear Derek Trucks who is with the Allman Brothers and is on tour with Eric Clapton. Trucks is a killer slide guitar player.



You not only hear great acoustic dobro, you also hear Blues slide guitar, and a little Rock as well, and even a talk box.

The song with John Fogerty to me is the best song on the CD.

I love the blues and Jerry plays blues dobro as Fogerty sings.

If you want a pleasanst surprise and want to hear a leganary musician as well, this is an album to consider. From time to time everyone takes a chance and buys an album that resonates, and they totally enjoy it. This is one of those albums.

I would recommend this CD to anyone, you wont be sorry."