Shifting Sands of Time

A veritable acoustic music supergroup led by violinist/violist Matt Glaser with banjo player Tony Trischka, legendary mandolinist Andy Statman, pianist Bruce Barth, and others, and featuring guest appearances by bluegrass elder Ralph Stanley, newgrass fiddler Darol Anger, songwriter Tim O'Brien, vocalist Tracy Bonham, folksinger Lucy Kaplansky, and many others. The music is a gentle and gorgeous fusion of string band music and chamber jazz in the spirit of Edgar Meyer, Mike Marshall, and Bela Fleck's Uncommon Ritual project, as well as efforts by the Deadly Nightshade Family Singers. Of note is a surprisingly delicate take on "Man of Constant Sorrow" sung by Stanley, which is capped by a stunningly subtle improvisation by pianist Lazlo Gardony and bassist John Repucci. Also stunning is Kaplansky's haunting take on the traditional "Wayfaring Stranger." The production is suitably warm throughout, lending much depth to producer/arranger Glaser's vision of secular spiritual music. Statman's highly soulful mandolin and clarinet playing adds immeasurably to the deeply gorgeous tone of the disc.