Cuttin' Grass Vol 1: The Butcher Shoppe Sessions

Multi-time Grammy and Americana music award winner, country music singer-songwriter and actor Sturgill Simpson has fed 20 of his original songs into the bluegrass mill in the first of what presumably will be a series of themed sessions on his own label. A product of the artist's extended recovery at home after contracting COVID-19, Cuttin' Grass Vol 1 is a wonderful listening experience, especially for fans of traditional bluegrass. In striving to strip his songs down ‘to the raw bones of the composition’, Simpson produced a showcase for some of the genre's finest instrumentalists and vocalists.

Check out the perfectly crafted mandolin solo by Sierra Hull on ‘Breakers Roar’ or Stuart Duncan's brilliant fiddling on ‘Just Let Go’. Likewise, the contributions from Mike Bub (bass), Scott Vestal (banjo, vocals), Tim O'Brien (rhythm and lead guitar, vocals), Mark Howard (rhythm and lead guitar, vocals) and Miles Miller (percussion, vocals) are as good as their best work, including some of the finest harmony singing this side of the Carter Family. Part of Simpson's motivation for making Cuttin' Grass was to raise money for COVID-19 charities and other causes, which include MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund and Black Lives Matter.