So the other night I was listening to some music from the progressive bluegrass band Head for the Hills a four man band from Fort Collins, Colorado. From their Facebook page
“Head for the Hills has created a sound that is all at once organic, precise, timeless, and brand-new,” as reported by the Missoula Independent. The acclaimed Colorado Bluegrass quartet has been receiving nation-wide recognition in response to their refreshing take on acoustic music. Described as progressive acoustic/contemporary roots, H4TH produces an endearing mixture of homegrown compositions, traditional harmonies, and improvisation. In the live setting, H4TH effortlessly ventures into a myriad of musical styles and sonic landscapes that appeal to a boundless array of listeners.
I really liked what I heard, but I may need a few more listens before I write about them. A track that really caught my attention was “New Lee Highway Blues” a favorite of mine since I first heard David Bromberg’s version. So tonight as I looked for music I decided to look at youtube for Head for the Hills performing the song. So I found one performance, but I didn’t like the sound, so I moved on (Here’s one with some better sound)
Then I thought, well, how about David Bromberg and I found a performance of his of the song here. But then I again said no, of course when I was looking at David Bromberg I saw David performing Jerry Jeff’s “Mr Bojangles” and I had to watch that here. So by now I was far away from Head for the Hills, and my thoughts shifted from the New Lee Highway blues to “Lee Highway Blues”. When I searched for that song, I found the version, at the end of this post, by Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper. Wow!
While I was watching the amazing Mr Cleveland, I was thinking, this is what I love about bluegrass! It’s the picking, whether it’s Adam Steffey or Alan Biby on mandolin, Rob Ickes or Jerry Douglas on dobro, I just love to listen to them play and Michael Cleveland in my opinion is up there among the very best!! So who’s your favorite picker?? And No Mike or Frank from American Pickers does not count!!
So let’s go “Into the Night” with “Lee Highway Blues” from Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper”
