Prominent critics of roots music will be quick to address the fact that bluegrass acts almost never do themselves justice on record, for it is in live shows that the soul truly reveals itself. Few acts will know this better than Virginian quintet The Hot Seats, who, given the speed of this release, must not have granted much sleep unto their producer. Coming at ya’ live from Ashland, VA, the Hot Seats are positively unrelenting in their hot bluegrass onslaught. Have you ever seen a cow get branded? Well, listener, you are (presumably) no ungulate but this release will press The Hot Seats into a prominent spot in your mind.
Wasting no time (other than a fifteen-second introduction), the act get promptly into swing, with some delightful fiddle and banjo to be heard of the traditional “Trouble In Mind”. Whether dealing with other traditional or borrowed songs (such as “Down the Road” by Flatt & Scruggs) or throwing their own swing-tinged hilarity (“Killing Time”) into the mix, this album is one big hootenanny. Don’t be surprised if you feel compelled to shift your sofa into your garden.
Though it could be said of every song on the album, “River Stay Away From My Door” in particular is sing-along fodder (though it may be hard to do so while spinning that gal by your side!). Thankfully, a little breathing space is allowed on “Sugar Pudding”. Given that this song, which was written by the Memphis Jug Band, must be at least eighty years old, this is a lovely throwback to a song that could easily have been lost to the world.
Some kind harmonies introduce us to “Mule Wife,” which would appear to address zoophilia, while “Peaches” is dominated by some exquisite banjo playing. Perhaps more of a finger-snapper than a toe-tapper, but delightful nonetheless.
It must take some peculiar life experience to lead you to writing a “Cheesy Beef Boogie,” but this song - by some distance the most abstract on the album – is perhaps also the best. By contrast, their version of John Prine’s “Sam Stone” seems to miss the point a little. I’ve rarely heard a song about addiction sound so joyous.
All in all, you should be hoping and praying (to whatever you call a deity) that the Hot Seats come to your town soon. On this evidence, the London Riots will pale in comparison to their show. In the mean time, buy this album.
Available from
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