McLeod is the name of an acoustic
quintet based in Anchorage, AK. The title of their CD, "Bluegrass
& Beyond", sums up their music aptly. They seem a wee bit more
comfortable on the beyond side of things, particularly with their folksy
original songs and arrangements, but McLeod does a serviceable job on
straight ahead bluegrass songs like "On And On".
Their strength lies with their own material - banjoist Chuck Dunnagan
contributes a half-dozen fine songs to their album, and fiddler David
Mannheimer also adds a nice instrumental in the Bluegrass vein,
"Augustine". The lead vocalists (not identified in the
credits, unfortunately) help reinforce the folksiness of their
recording. The one identifiable singer, female vocalist/rhythm guitarist
Marianne See, is featured on J.J. Cale's (by the way of Clair Lynch)
"If You're Ever in Oklahoma", sporting a unique delivery with
slippery vocal slides and plenty of punch. And, for my money, the gem of
the album is Dunnagan's "Dreamtime Lovin', " a haunting
arrangement built on gorgeous harmonies layered on some sweet guitar
harmonics.
McLeod's harmonies could use a smidgen more tightening, and their
instrumental breaks are generally good but sometimes in need of just a
little more polish. Fiddler Mannheimer seems to be more comfortable in
an old-timey style, as seen when he cuts loose on "Cold Frosty
Morning" (here called "Cold & Frosty Morning). Overall,
"Bluegrass & Beyond" shows off this folk/bluegrass unit's strengths
well, particularly in songwriting. If this is McLeod's first recording,
then "Bluegrass & Beyond" should give this band plenty of
valuable experience and exposure to build on for the future.
Feature
McLeod at your next event!
