Mandolinist Barry Mitterhoff, bassist Larry Cohen, and guitarist/lead vocalist Danny Weiss honed their skills working with Tony Trischka for a number of years before forming Silk City. The band takes its place beside a number of acoustic groups who explore a variety of styles, making their music impossible to pigeonhole. They can play almost straight bluegrass as on Robert Earl Keen's "Think It Over One More Time" or Latin tinged instrumentals like "Velverde." The instrumental workouts are particularly impressive, with a fun version of "Marche Fun�bre d'une Marionnette" (the Alfred Hitchcock TV theme) and a lovely take on "Quiero Ser Tu Sombre." On this later instrumental Barry Mitterhoff's mandolin playing, complimented by guest Will Holshouser's accordion, evokes a starry night south of the border. "Good Night Tessa" finds the band exploring jazz-grass terrain with a little help from violin great Richard Greene.

"Quiero Ser Tu Sombre"

Silk City should take its place among a number of groups like the Larry Keel Experience who combine instrumental finesse with original songwriting. These bands reject the limitations associated with being a bluegrass or jam band to explore the endless intersections of jazz, samba, and traditional music. Time is a fine debut that should interest fans of jazz-grass or progressive bluegrass. - Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

Audio: "Quiero Ser Tu Sombre"
(c)2000 Sliced Bread, used by permission

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