Instrumental virtuoso John Jorgenson is at it again, completely bushwhacking his audience with a new musical direction. This time in a "tribute" album to the music of Van Halen. Seems there's a fine line between tribute and parody, and Jorgenson blurs that magnificently with expert playing, clever arrangements and the best of Nashville's side musicians in his latest accomplishment "Strummin' With the Devil."

The CD is a Bluegrass band rendition of 14 Van Halen hits, and even features their popular (ex)frontman, David Lee Roth on a couple of the tunes. You haven't lived until you've heard the iconic Eddie instrumental synth solo from "Jump" interpreted by banjo...

Though potentially an opportunity to alienate two "traditionalist" camps, BOTH the mullet-wielding, 80's adolescent-arrested VH fan, and Bluegrass Police purist, we think this project is worth a close study. Jorgenson's mandolin chops are as amazing as his Gypsy guitar (and clarinet!), and like his immersion into the music of Django Rheinhardt last year, this is expert and convincing. He's done his homework and knows the terrain.

A blistering mandolin solo on "Hot for the Teacher" by David Grisman, hits "Panama" and "Running with the Devil?" Come on, this CD is a must have! It's also been great to see friends Jorgenson, fiddler Stefan Dudash and bassist Charlie Chadwick running the television late night talk show circuit recently.

Go ahead and... Jump!

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Posted by Ted at June 10, 2006 6:27 AM