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Harmoniker Roots blog

Blues to Americana, Folk to Country from Capital Public Radio.

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First Listen: Old Crow Medicine Show, 'Remedy'

Monday, June 23, 2014
  

NPR First Listen | Stephen Thompson

 

Old Crow Medicine Show knows how to attract attention: The Virginia band's big, brash shows are carried off with rollicking energy and a carnival barker's showmanship. It's one of the few acts to whom Bob Dylan sends lyrics as a form of collaboration; Old Crow turned his unfinished song "Wagon Wheel" into a huge hit a decade ago, and the band's new album contains another such pairing, "Sweet Amarillo." This is music that's pitched to the rafters in the best way: Sweetly cynicism-free enthusiasm is crucial to the way Old Crow Medicine Show performs. Like a big, friendly sheepdog that just can't help itself, it's music that bounds right up to you and licks your face.

Remedy may well be the group's farthest-reaching, most ingratiating record yet. From the opening strains of "Brushy Mountain Conjugal Trailer" on, Old Crow Medicine Show plays loud and fast and loose, while remaining in complete control of every ramshackle moment. The songs get speedier from there — cue "8 Dogs 8 Banjos" for a pace of the breakneck variety — before dipping into slower and more earnest fare like "Dearly Departed Friend."

But even ballads like that one have a mile-wide quality to them: This is a band with little use for muted gestures. Fortunately, the grandiosity of Old Crow Medicine Show's sound never gives in to self-importance; these guys would rather be too corny than too cool any day. Given the band's remarkable chops, it can afford to be exactly what it is: a roots-rock juggernaut that wears (and inspires) an infectious smile at every opportunity.

Listen to the entire album on NPR's FIRST LISTEN.

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  • Melody Stone / Capital Public Radio

    Gill Landry, On Busking, Old Crow Medicine Show And Going Solo

    Monday, November 9, 2015
    After more than a decade with grammy-award winning bluegrass group, Old Crow Medicine Show, Gill Landry hits the road with a solo album.

 Old Crow Medicine Showfirst listen

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