A banjo album that deserves wider recognition

I rarely get excited about an album of banjo instrumentals, but I make an exception for this one. This is music that deserves our collective attention. And remember, this comment is from a guy (me) that has had two different banjo players as best men at my weddings.

Virtuoso Adam Hurt to Release Gourd Banjo Album Featuring Bluegrass Legends

The album is Back to the Earth and has guests like Ricky Skaggs, Brittany Haas (fiddle), Paul Kowert (bass), Jordan Tice (guitar), Marshall Wilborn (bass) and David McLaughlin (mandolin), long-time musical collaborator Beth Williams Hartness (guitar).

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Adam Hurt is impeccable. Thanks for posting this.

bill evans ....native and fine

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Originally Posted by HonketyHank

Adam Hurt is impeccable. Thanks for posting this.

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Agreed on both counts! He plays for expressiveness, rather than speed.

I discovered that back in the goodle days when musicians could work together in a studio, he made a video for the last song on the new album. No mando on the track, but Tristan Scroggins filmed it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3mtnuwMW-c

And from what the original promo video shows, it appears Skaggs is playing the Monroe Loar.

Bias alert - I pre-ordered this album and have known Adam since he was in high school and played guitar with him at his graduation concert.

Sounds great, thanks for posting this.

Adam is great, we have played his music on our radio show many times. I love the banjo sound he is getting on this recording.

Another great banjo album from decades ago is "That Old Gut Feeling" by Bertram Levy. Probably not well known as Bertram is a concertina player normally.

I have heard some great enthusiasm for that album. You have pushed me over the edge.

Interesting style. Thanks.

Gorgeous sound, wonderfully distinctive style. A true artist.

It's a great album. Adam is a very talented musician.

I’ve listened to some of it on the Old Time Jam on WAMU Bluegrass Country radio. The sounds pf the gourd banjos are really cool and Adam is such a clean player. Great stuff!

You can listen to it on bandcamp:
https://adamhurt.bandcamp.com/album/back-to-the-earth

I have the physical CD - the first one I've gotten since Adam released his last album.
Heirloom-quality craftsmanship.

I'm listening to and enjoying the album right now while I work on catnip mandolins.
Reminds me of the fact that I have a bunch of gourds in my greenhouse and two books on making instruments out of them that I bought years ago. Might have to break them out this winter.

Adam has taken an ancient instrument and created a new being. He plays music on the gourd that harkens back to the old while imbuing it with such exquisitry and individuality that brings forth a new musical life form, a new musical life force, an ebullient and precious sound.

Adam's earlier solo album, Earth Tones, is also a very worthy effort. If you had told me I would listen to a solo gourd banjo album multiple times, well, I would have been skeptical. Fascinating material.

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Originally Posted by Jonathan Ward

Adam's earlier solo album, Earth Tones, is also a very worthy effort. If you had told me I would listen to a solo gourd banjo album multiple times, well, I would have been skeptical. Fascinating material.

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I had the honor of recording Earth Tones. Adam got the whole album down in two days, which included time for walks in the forest.

Free access article, and interview with Adam, in Banjo Newsletter.
https://banjonews.com/2021-01/back_t...adam_hurt.html

thanks for posting, i didn't know about this and its simply wonderful. sales of gourd banjos just went up.
stellar players joining in also, excellent!

d