Definitely one of the highlights of the recent Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival was the multi-instrumental duo of Charlie & Jensen. Hunter Beasley (Charlie) and Luke Wright (Jensen) combine Bluegrass and Folk with hints of Classical and Jazz to a collection of vocal originals and instrumental traditional tunes.
Between Luke's century old Gibson mandocello and Hunter's tenor guitar they created some instant intrigue from the outset of their Saturday morning set at Dorrigo. The first song had only just finished when a voice form the audience called out "What instruments are you playing?" Cue them inviting every one to attend their afternoon workshop "A close look at the Mandolin Family".
During the set the guys revealed that they had bonded over the traditional favourite Whisky Before Breakfast, inspiring them to make it the title track of their debut album, before treating the crowed to a frenetic version of the piece. Throughout the performance (and album) Luke switched between the mandocello and guitar while Hunter's tenor guitar made way for the mandolin. The multiple combinations of these four adds real variety to the sound from the first note of each song. With guitar and tenor guitar on one song being replaced by mandocello and tenor guitar on the next then mandocello and mandolin and then guitar with mandolin they likewise blended bluegrass with gypsy jazz one minute and classical with folk the next.
Having picked up the CD at the festival it has gone directly to the top of my rotation of music this week. The album is a collection of single take recordings. As well as the title track, Whisky Before Breakfast, it features other traditional sets Billy In The Lowground, Cherokee Shuffle and Big Sciota. These are combined to good effect with several fantastic original tunes. Finest among these is the subtly named Serenade In F# and toe tapping A' Scarlinatella.
The album is available on all the usual places online (or you can just listen to it right here below.)
A personal journey into the world of Folk, Bluegrass, Celtic, Old Time and more.
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