The Hogtown Sessions

Fans of the classic 1960s and 70s bluegrass era will get some serious kicks from this joint project by Portland-based Dobro specialist Ivan Rosenberg and Toronto’s stellar bluegrass ensemble, The Foggy Hogtown Boys. Also known for his wizardry in the recording studio, Rosenberg here leads the charge through 11 original compositions and covers of chart-toppers from the days when the music we now think of as classic country and bluegrass was wafting from AM radios, jukeboxes and turntables across America’s fruited plains. Among the standouts are the rollicking lover’s lament, ‘Reno Bound’; Harlan Howard’s down-and-out anthem, ‘Busted’; and ‘Day Dreamin’, performed back in the day by country stars such as Jimmy Newman and Wanda Jackson. Among the new songs, the keeper is ‘Ishler’s Waltz’, Rosenberg’s tribute to Tim Ishler, an outstanding Dobro guitar player and banjoist whose untimely passing in 2008 shocked the country/bluegrass community.

In ‘Low and Lonesome Sea’ the Hogtowners splendidly capture the traditional spirit of the familiar 17th century English ballad thanks to bassist Max Heineman’s piercing lead vocal, complemented by Andrew Collins on mandolin, Chris Quinn on banjo and Chris Coole on guitar. Rosenberg says one of the missions of The Hogtown Sessions was to capture ‘a vinyl-era bluegrass vibe’ without succumbing to nostalgia for its own sake. Anyone whose ears appreciate the worthiness of that intent will reckon this album represents one mission accomplished.