Playing music that would likely accompany ol’ Huck floating down the Mississippi, The Bluegrass Files may be thousands of miles away from thier spiritual home, but heck, on a less grand scale, Merri Creek is just a stones throw away.
This trio employ all the correct instruments. Mandolin, fiddle and double bass are front and centre. Even the absence of the obligatory five letters instrument starting with “b” is no loss. As in banjo folks. They carry on the tradition of Australian bluegrass acts like Earl Scruggs, Foggy Mountain Boys and, latterly, Uncle Bill with aplomb.
They ply on the theme of life’s simple pleasures. Charlie’s Getting’ Married, My House, Mama Loves Papa. Nothing lyrically challenging but suitably enjoyable. Suzie is a beautiful early Stones or Tom Waits-Keith Richards inspired singalong zeitgeist. My House is equally exquisite. But no travelling the dustbowl road here. At best it is just scorched asphalt. And it is difficult not to turn up the speakers to overload when listening to this as the sun beats down without mercy.
To the audience, this is a gratifying and leisurely experience. The band assumes the task of getting things done rather than the easier route of demanding things be done. My Girl is the obligatory relationship struggle song and is grand as it does not attempt to overreach itself. The Bluegrass Files are worthwhile and exist just below the radar. It fills the listener with joy knowing that such music can exist within its audience.
BY BRONIUS ZUMERIS
Best Track: Suzie
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: UNCLE BILL, DEL MCCOURY
In A Word: Traditional
