Having garnered considerable acclaim for their 2009 bluegrassification of U2’s “Joshua Tree” album, critics were always going to take a vetted interest in what Earl Pickens & Family would do next. While it surely comes as no surprise that “Gathering” is an entirely original affair staying largely within the cosy parameters of traditional bluegrass, this album shows Earl Pickens & Family coming into their own and doing it well.
Not rushing into affairs, “Time” begins the album in sleepy fashion before “The Broom” wakes the roost with some fine fiddle and banjo playing truly settling the listener. Pop vibes trickle in on “Fine for Tonight”, with Jessie Yamas taking over on lead vocals and, while a slight departure from the album’s so-far established sound, it is a pleasant, toe-tapping listen. “Do You Have a Secret?”, on the other hand, is as close as this album comes to a murder ballad. Progressive, probing and ever-so-slightly haunting.
An air of polite melancholy surrounds “Noreen, You Live to Lie to Me”, and continues on “Take it Back”, the latter a duet between Earl and Jessie that threatens to threaten the pop charts. By contrast, “I’ll Be The One” has a certain agrarian warmth to it. “Except For You” sees out the album is suitable fashion.
The sprightly nature of this band - both in terms of musical cohesion and lyrical guile - is safely captured on this release. While it may be true that there’s no real cutting edge to the songs, it was never the intention. This album is a throwback to traditional roots music - and a good one at that.
No one’s going to accuse them of being pioneering or innovative, but in “Gathering”, Earl Pickens & Family have made an album that is just plain good. You’ll sit down, listen to it, and enjoy it. So buy it.