Ken Orrick

Pictures and Stories 

(Hay Holler-HH-CD-1359) 44:59

On his latest project, Ken Orrick has taken the unlikely route for a songwriter of his caliber of selecting songs written by those who have most affected him during his many years of listening to traditional country and bluegrass music.

Orrick has proven himself to be one of the most relaxed and compelling vocalists in bluegrass music through his recording projects with Lost Highway.  Seemingly without effort and certainly without affectation, Orrick’s smooth, soulful style has given voice to well-rounded projects such as Lifetime of Sorrow and November Rain.

Joined here by his Lost Highway compatriots and selected guests, Orrick pays tribute to the songwriters of classic songs-“Long Black Veil” (Danny Dill/Marijohn Wilkin), “Blue Virginia Blue” (Leroy Drumm/Pete Gobel) and “Old Flames (Can’t Hold A Candle To You)” (Pebe Sebert/Hugh Moffat)- by offering heartfelt and endearing interpretations of their songs.

Orrick’s rendition of “I Don’t Want Your Rambling Letters” is thoroughly modern while capturing the traditional tones of the song.  “Harvest Time,” while utilizing an arrangement very similar to the Lonesome River Band’s version, has a fresher, more rural feel as presented by Orrick, successfully capturing the elements of tension and profound, wondrous relief experienced the song’s protagonist.

The instrumentation is impressive and varied.  John Plotnik’s understated dobro playing is showcased to great effect on “The Farmer’s Daughter.”  Eric Uglum provides many examples of fine mandolin playing throughout the album, perhaps most noticeably on  “Long Black Veil” and “You’re No Longer A Sweetheart of Mine.”  The latter song contains the greatest example of a driving bluegrass song on the album, as most numbers are of the mid- to slow-tempo varieties.

With the addition of two new Orrick originals, Pictures and Stories is a thoughtfully compiled collection of songs of significance presented as living heirlooms of the songwriting tradition.

Hay Holler Records, PO Box 868, Blacksburg, VA 24063 www.hayholler.com or www.losthighwaybluegrass.com