Considering the bluegrass superstars who drop in, maybe the expectations are unfairly raised. But with players who include
Josh Graves,
Vassar Clements,
Earl Scruggs,
Sam Bush,
Byron Berline, and
Jerry Douglas, it's hard to not anticipate more than what is delivered on
John McEuen's
String Wizards. The high points such as "Return to Dismal Swamp" are high indeed, but too much is too laid-back. Perhaps the players were too respectful of each other. "Miner's Night Out" is a delightful little surprise that would sound more at home in the English North Country than in the Appalachians. Much as
Doc Watson and
Merle Watson did for "Take Me out to the Ballgame," this album gives "Stars and Stripes Forever" a new life as a bluegrass anthem. ~ Mark Allan