Hill Country

Bluegrass fans may want to zero in on this particular album, as it was banjo whiz Tony Trischka's first shot at paying tribute to his traditional roots, done at a time when his reputation had been clearly established as an avant-garde or progressive bluegrass player. His former student Béla Fleck helped produce some of the sessions, and put together a lineup of players that would require several vans to haul around. The recordings are done to a turn, with the sound of the acoustic instruments positively shimmering. Actually, most of the tunes are Trischka originals, with only one traditional number, and the effort to create tunes in a more standard bluegrass vein pays off with what has proven to be some of his most memorable composing efforts. "New York Chimes" is delightful.