LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

It was their collaboration with David Lowery's Cracker for 2003's 'O Cracker Where Art Thou' that gave Leftover Salmon some long overdue attention, but in reality it was 1999's 'Nashville Sessions' that should have done the job. 'Leftover Salmon' should have the more discerning among you scuttling off to discover that album as well, marking as it did their progression from self-proclaimed purveyors of 'Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass' to a more or less straightforward blend of country, bluegrass, and rock. This is a progression again, a slight rejigging of the membership prompting Vince Herman to dub this their "first record for grown-ups"; certainly, their lyrics carry far more weight and meaning these days, and their habit of populating the studio with heavyweight stars has been curtailed, making this an ensemble performance by the ensemble you came to hear. You probably think you know what it sounds like thanks to the pigeonhole we've popped them into, but be prepared for a shock when you hear just how modern the stirring lament that is 'Fayetteville Line' sounds.
Track Listing 1 Down The Hollow 2 Mountain Top 3 Delta Queen 4 Lincoln At Nevada 5 Woody Guthrie 6 Fayetterville line 7 Everything Is Round 8 Wispering Waters 9 Last Days of Autumn 10 Just Keep Walkin' 11 Weary Traveler