BLUE HIGHWAY Record Review

BLUE HIGHWAY
Marbletown
Rounder Records
BY BRENDA HOUGH

Mark Knopfler's Marbletown kicks off Blue Highway's latest as Rob Ickes' Dobro playing provides a wonderful nuance. Jason Burleson's instrumental Three Finger Jack puts his banjo playing on center stage with Shawn Lane's mandolin. Tim Stafford's guitar adds lead breaks to the mix and his songs focus on the decisions that affect relationships. Nothing But A Whippoorwill, I Used To Love Parades and Quarter Moon are stories of departure and the musings of the one left behind. Lane's songs continue the them of love left behind with his Tears Fell On Missouri and the restless Wild Urge To Ramble. Bassist Wayne Taylor writes a tale of broken family through the eyes of a child with No Home To Go Home To. Endless Train closes the album with a beautiful three-part harmony gospel song. This is bluegrass with depth, feeling and contemporary sensibilities and deserves repeated listenings. BMP