Back in the late 70's, I was turned on to an album of bluegrass musicians with a melodic sound and a great singer in Peter Rowan. Even though bluegrass was not my type of music, I bought "Old And In The Way" and loved it.

Let's reiterate. I am not a big fan of bluegrass music, but I like the blend of sound acoustic instruments can make together. Mix in an Eastern European personality playing these wooden instruments and a good dose of Peter Rowan's voice, and you get "New Freedom Bell," a new release from the group, Druha Trava.

This five-piece Czech band (English translation: Second Grass) covers songs by Bob Dylan, Guy Clark and Van Morrison, not to mention a handful of Rowan's compositions, to help mainstream America digest their international bluegrass sound. This offering is loaded with acoustic and electric guitars along with banjo, dobro, lap steel, mandolin and electric bass. Most of these pieces, including percussion and solo vocals, were recorded live, according to the liner notes. There is an innovative approach to these songs, played in a relaxing way.

Two covers from Dylan's 1998 Grammy Award-winner, "Time Out Of Mind," will grab the attention of anyone even remotely appreciative of Dylan's poetry and lead one into the pleasures of this unique sound. "Trying To Get To Heaven" is delivered in a deliberately slow and refreshing folk style. Fine finger picking, soft banjo rolls and slide dobro invigorate the musical backdrop. The clarity of Rowan's vocals makes this Dylan love song come alive.

"Cold Irons Bound," an individual 1998 Grammy Award winner from "Time Out Of Mind," is played with a new-grass electric edge and an unplugged music jam to close it out. Mandolin and drums converge in a Coltrane-type climax. Rowan's "Moonlight Midnight," from that "Old And In The Way" album, is featured here in a slower version, with passionate instrumental work. These guys are hot. Other selections are melodic and beautiful.

This CD is ideal for morning wake-ups, dinner preparation or late-night decompressing. Leave it in the rotation, because it gets better with each listen. Not to categorize but "New Freedom Bell" makes bluegrass music enjoyable and internationally mainstream. The New World Order has arrived via acoustic music.
- Scott Petrucci

Scott J. Petrucci, based in St. Petersburg, writes and records his own music under the name Johnny Arrowhead.