Format | Audio CD |
Ordering Number | FENCD12 |
Barcode | 877746003462 |
label | Free Dirt Records / Fenchurch Music |
Release date | 11/12/2021 |
salesrank | 6166 |
Brad Kolodner’s debut solo album Chimney Swifts proves that traditionally-
rooted banjo music is alive, well, and on the move. After years of recording
in a duo with his father Ken Kolodner and with progressive roots supergroup
Charm City Junction, Kolodner has assembled a powerful debut of instrumental
clawhammer banjo music. Honed during solo practice time amidst the
pandemic, Chimney Swifts focuses on what he calls “private music.” This is what musicians play when they first pick
up their instruments, it’s familiar and evokes time and place. You might think this is just music for musicians but upon
first listen the appeal is immediate to the casual roots fan as well. The record’s fifteen tracks feature solo pieces as
well as duets with Kolodner’s frequent collaborators like his father Ken, Rachel Eddy, and the members of Charm City
Junction. Kolodner showcases deft original tunes, both jaunty and plaintive, alongside traditional music spanning oldtime,
Irish, bluegrass and even a Greek number. A handful of pieces feature the haunting tone of fretless gourd banjo.
Clawhammer banjo is frequently used as accompaniment to fiddle music and songs but rarely as a lead voice. One of
the most daring achievements of Chimney Swifts is to highlight clawhammer banjo as a central melodic voice. With this
record, Kolodner positions himself besides other contemporary banjo luminaries like Jason Romero, Allison de Groot,
Jake Blount, and Nora Brown.
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CD 1- 1.Chimney Swifts03:48
- 2.Five Miles From Town03:11
- 3.Foggy Mountain Special03:42
- 4.Old Grimes03:02
- 5.Ants In The Honey Jar02:50
- 6.Chirps And Williams02:50
- 7.Mr. Pantaleish02:46
- 8.Killavil Fancy03:04
- 9.Julianne Johnson03:03
- 10.Tuckerman Lane02:29
- 11.Catalpa Hop02:53
- 12.Old Aunt Jenny03:08
- 13.Campbell's Farewell To Red Gap02:42
- 14.Blue Violet Waltz03:03
- 15.Waynesboro03:48
- Total:46:19