Customer Reviews

Full Circle

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Those who know of Tony Furtado as a slide guitar-playing singer/songwriter on the folk-rock side of the jam band community may be interested to hear how he sounded in his bluegrass days. Furtado's first album, Swamped, was a bluegrass album. It was progressive bluegrass, but still identifiably bluegrass. On his second album, Within Reach, he began moving further away from bluegrass and towards a more eclectic sound. This is his third album, and it is a move further away from bluegrass, and towards the hybrid sound that would materialize on his brilliant fourth album, Roll My Blues Away. On that album, he would begin to favor slide guitar over banjo, and blend bluegrass, country, blues, and various world music styles. On this album, though, he sticks to the banjo, and while there is a stronger blues feel to tracks like Willow John on this album than on his previous albums (thus foreshadowing Roll My Blues Away), the banjo keeps this a bit more rooted in bluegrass than his subsequent music. As was normal for early Furtado albums, a number of bluegrass luminaries made guest appearances, including Jerry Douglas, David Grier, Stuart Duncan, Mark Schatz, Matt Flinner, Scott Nygaard, Sally Van Meter, Tim O'Brien and Nick Forster. Of course, these are all adventurous players who play far from traditional bluegrass, and that is appropriate for the style of this album, which ventures far from traditional bluegrass. Full Circle is an amalgam of roots music styles that isn't quite as adventurous as what he would play on his fourth album, Roll My Blues Away, but will appeal to anyone interested in bluegrass specifically, and roots music generally.

Further listening: Zubot & Dawson.

Tony's work is fearless. When I listen to this I hear an artist who is unafraid and willing to experiment. He mixes venues, introduces new instruments and creative percussion while preserving the spirit of tradition. An extraordinary young talent with a drive like no other.

Tony, ( I guess I can call him by his first name, as I have had a chance to meet him) plays with years of skill and flare on this album. If you want to hear some enlightening and passionate banjo and guitar playing, pick this one up! In a world of "Wonder bread" pop music, Tony's album is a refreshing, wholesome, satisfying change! PS: Did I mention he is more talented then Bela Fleck.......? Well, he is! =)

Love his Zoo Bar (Lincoln, Ne) "Tony Furtado Band" Bootleg. [sick] banjo, cowboy-punk! Not sure if it is legal, but if bluegrass wanted to start selling live recordings, I'd buy them.