Before you listen to any of their music, the Random Canyon
Growlers have already succeeded in grabbing your attention with such a vivid
name that conjures up wonderful images of an old time traditional mountain band
skilfully plying their trade around isolated rural communities. Therefore it is
of little surprise that these visions gain further clarity as you absorb the
musical content of this debut album from the five piece band who has found
inspiration in their adopted Rocky Mountain home.
The band is the brainchild of two musicians who followed
their dreams and relocated from Vermont to Idaho in pursuit of their musical
spirit. The resultant album, equally wonderfully named –‘ …Dickey Ain’t Got All Day’, is recorded proof that Jamie Drysdale
and David McMeekin, along with founding bassist Matt Donovan, have captured
that soul and added evidence that old time/bluegrass music is now in the safe
hands of the next generation. With the classical combination of fiddle, double
bass, acoustic guitar, banjo and mandolin to accompany the creative
arrangements and incisive lyrics, this comprehensive sixteen track album
deserves the honourable complement of holding your attention right from the
opening bars of Drysdale’s fast pace driving number ‘With You Beside Me’ to its conclusion with McMeekin’s ‘Mercy’.
With such a rich history of influence to draw from, the guys
have tactfully paid homage to their heritage by carefully interpreting the work
of four legendary performers including Bill Monroe and the Louvin Brothers.
Their version of the latter’s ‘Dark as
the Night’ is one of the album’s better tracks along with the song ‘Born To Be With You’ borrowed from the catalogue
of prolific songwriter Don Robertson. However the real strength of this album
is the twelve self-penned songs split almost evenly between Drysdale and
McMeekin including the co-written ‘Guilty
as Murder’. There is virtually an interchange of their individual songs
through the album’s progression with the only instrumental being Drysdale’s ‘Mad River Breakdown’. The usual subjects
of this type of music are explored such as Drysdale’s ‘Moonshine Train’ and the wonderful tale McMeekin wrote about
addressing your fears on returning to your roots in the song ‘Afraid To Go Home’.
The good news for us British followers of this strand of
roots music is the band is intent on taking their music overseas to pursue a
wider audience. With this desire they have already planned a UK and Ireland
tour in October and the opportunity to experience this very fine recording
live, no doubt delivered in traditional style around a single mic, will not be
one to miss. In the meantime seek out this record and celebrate the successful
baton passing of old time traditional bluegrass roots music to the next
generation.