Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn, Echo in the Valley Review

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Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn, Echo in the Valley Review 2

After Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn’s wildly successful self-titled debut album, the duet is back with a fresh set of songs, amazing banjo playing and singing called, Echo in the Valley. The two approach the banjo from different angles, one uses the three-finger right hand method and the other a clawhammer right hand style. They also have set unique recording limitations on themselves: all sounds must be created by the two of them, the only instruments used are banjos, and they must be able to perform every recorded song live. Co-written by Fleck and Washburn with wild re-imaginings of Appalachian music, Echo in the Valley is a creative collection of the many possibilities of the banjo. Using seven banjos between them, from Béla’s 1937 Gibson Mastertone to a banjo ukulele and a massive, restored 1905 upright banjo bass. With one eye on using the banjo to showcase America’s rich heritage and the other pulling the noble instrument from its most familiar arena into new and unique realms, Echo in the Valley is a wildly innovative and beautiful body of art. That’s the short of it!

Positives:

Excellent material, playing, singing and recording quality. The two meld as one, as they take us on a journey of instrumentals, soft vocals and unusual banjo sounds. The album has many styles, colors and moods for a duet album, and you will find yourself wondering just how the two created all this sound.

Bottom Line:

Both Fleck and Washburn are constant searchers and the result is a rich album that brings in many sounds and textures from around the world. Washburn’s singing is excellent on the tracks she sings on, her gentle old time Appalachian style also incorporates blues, Asian folk music and just a tiny hint of pop. If you're a big fan of banjo music, this is a must! Fleck and Washburn are the best pickers this generation has to offer and their music is simply amazing. So, if you are a music fan in the least, you need to sample this collection. The feats these two do with a pair of banjos is magical, but always musical and that is what makes this a great collection of music.

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