The Wagon Tales
Album: Introducing
Label: Fire Eater
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.wagontales.co.uk

I first came across British bluegrass pioneers via their self titled debut EP a year or two ago, but the five piece supergroup have been going since about 2007 and I'm pleased to say they've just put out their debut album, "Introducing", though for many into the bluegrass scene, that title is a little on the superfluous side.

I use the term supergroup in the original context, bringing members of a number of different outfits into a single entity, though the term also acknowledges the instrumental prowess you get when bringing a whole host of top sides men and women into a single entity, with Krystle Warren being the most regular factor across the band.

The thing I really like about "Introducing" is that it consists entirely of new material, penned from within the band, in a sense it's what makes the album theirs. That's not to knock sprinkling a few covers through an album of bluegrass, it just makes a change not having to play the homage game, or the need to compare with versions by other exponents, a chance to enjoy, and make no mistake about the word enjoy, the album for the album's sake.

British bluegrass is really developing its own style, its own accent if you'ld prefer. There is something of London in this, the turn of phrase, the choice of words, yet you can still image it being played off a porch in Appalachia and that's what makes it so easy to recommend. Fill your boots.

Neil King