Ever Hear of "Song Grass"?

You've heard of bluegrass. Maybe even the term for progessive bluegrass, "newgrass."

How about "song grass"?

That's what I think Jim and Jennie and the Pinetops are doing in their first release for Bloodshot Records, "Rivers Roll On By."

It's the song, not just the manic banjo pickin' or fiddle fiddlin'. And eight out of the 13 are ORIGINALS. Not stuff written by somebody planted in an unmarked grave in some old hilltown.

No disrespect intended, of course. After all, this is "roots" music. And they do perform some traditional songs, and a couple written by the late bluegrass legend Don Reno.

If you're an old-timey country song person, one who likes simple, unadorned music, you'll probably like "Rivers Roll On By." And if you're a bluegrass aficianodo, you'll probably like the CD as well, because there is some apickin' and agrinnin' too.

The sound is as rustic as their photo.

But don't let 'em fool you. These modern "Dustbowl refugees" from Pennsylvania are reformed punks (Jim was into hardcore, baby, until he heard bluegrass). And reflecting the punk ethic, they don't mess around with songs that go on forever.

Despite having thirteen tracks, the CD clocks in under forty minutes, which is rare these days. Maybe Jim and Jennie are starting a healthy new trend: self-editing. Unless you're Lennon and McCartney--and they wrote and recorded mostly short tunes--chances are you can leave some of your precious musical ideas on the "cutting room floor" so to speak, or for another album. Just because a CD can contain a lot more stuff than a vinyl record doesn't mean you've got the material to fill it up. Leave the listener hungry for more!

The originals are simple, likeable and grow on you with each listen. My favorite track is Jennie's "Stars Fall," which has her singing in a voice as pure as a mountain stream before it's used for beer. Her "Mt. St. Helens" is also memorable.

Jim and Jennie and the Pinetops perform at the Narrows this Friday, August 5th. Tickets are still available.

They play the Newport Folk Festival the next day, but it will cost you a lot more!