The Crow: New Songs for the Five String Banjo

Steve Martin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 19, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder / Umgd
• ASIN: B0026IZR3E
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (204 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #813 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #1 in Music > Blues > Vocal Blues
  • #1 in Music > Country > Bluegrass > Contemporary
  • #5 in Music > Country > Bluegrass > General

Editorial Reviews

Comedian, actor, author, and banjo player Steve Martin releases his first musical recording since 1978's number 1 hit "King Tut." This is no novelty record though. It's some of the best banjo music to come down the pike in a long time. The Crow features able assistance from some of Steve's pals, including Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Earl Scruggs, Bela Fleck, Tim O'Brien and Mary Black. Martin wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on this album, creating a new body of work that will stand alongside the classics for years to come.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

140 of 146 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Who knew he could write this stuff? January 28, 2009

By D. Steiner

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Martin wrote 14 of the 15 songs on this album. If you like original banjo music, this is for you. Martin had help from Vince Gill, Earl Scruggs, Dolly Parton, Mary Black, Tony Trischka, Tim O'Brien and Pete Wrenick. It was produced by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's John McEuen, a high school friend of Martin's. You can get this as a download from Amazon, but you will miss out on the 24 page book by Martin about the recording, the ensemble and his long relationship with the 5-string banjo. Forty-three minutes of great stuff.

58 of 62 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wild And Crazy Album January 30, 2009

By Shell-Zee

Format:Audio CD

Comedian, actor, novelist, playwright and all around fool Steve Martin takes off his rabbit ears, removes the arrow from his head and picks up his banjo and wails. Yes, move over John Hartford, John McEuen and Earl Scruggs. Steve can really play with the best of 'em. And he's smart enough to surround himself with some of the finest country and bluegrass musicians around; Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, John McEuen and Earl Scruggs to name just a few. Like comedian Woody Allen, showing off his Dixiland chops on clarinet, Steve Martin demonstrates his outstanding Bluegrass prowess on the five string banjo...A virtuoso indeed and equally impressive his songwriting is absolutely first rate.

Honestly, this collection could easily have been recorded by the late-great John Hartford. It's just that colorful, warm and humorous. Several compositions, "Tin Roof", "Words Unspoken" and "Wally On The Run" sound as if they were recorded during John's legendary "Aeroplane" sessions. And the lovely "Blue River Waltz" has that same haunting lilt as "Untangle Your Mind", an early John Hartford composition. OK, Steve you can put the arrow back on your head now, get into your happy feet routine and show off your wild and crazy persona. Just don't be a "JERK". Don't put the banjo down. You've got so much more to say with it.

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars this music is so good, it deserves an honest week's pay for an honest day's work February 3, 2009

By Matthew G. Sherwin HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo showcases Steve Martin's exceptional ability to perform very fine, bluegrass music often with some rather complicated arrangements as he plays the banjo and sings his heart out. This album gives us some great numbers and the guest appearances on the CD only make it even better--not that Steve Martin needed backup but it sounds wonderful anyway. The quality of the sound is quite good and the artwork is excellent. I also like that it comes with an extremely informative and well written booklet; and the fact that Steve Martin wrote almost all of the songs on this CD impresses me very much.

"Daddy Played the Banjo" starts the CD very well; Steve's voice never sounded better and the melody is actually rather pretty. "Daddy Played the Banjo" is a strong start for this CD and that's grand. Earl Scruggs also plays on "Daddy Played The Piano." "Hoedown at Alice's" also boasts a catchy melody and Steve plays that banjo very well. He handles the tempo and key changes like a pro and "Hoedown at Alice's" is a highlight of this album. Listen also for "Late for School;" "Late for School" has Steve singing somewhat out of pace with the tempo of the music and so I really admire "Late for School."

"Words Unspoken" is yet another highlight of this excellent album; the music is very well done and the melody is again very pleasing to the ear. "Wally on the Run" has a rather fast tempo and it places Steve squarely front and center in the spotlight--right where he belongs! "Wally on the Run" is an excellent number.

"Clawhammer Medley" is also very good; and I especially like "Banana Banjo." "Banana Banjo" strikes me with its fine melody and the banjo sounds great along with the string work in the musical arrangement. The CD even ends strong with "The Crow;" this is a memorable tune and it leaves you wanting more.

With all this fine music I can't help but admit that I wish the CD lasted a bit longer; but quality is what you get on this album if bluegrass music is your thing. Who knew Steve Martin could play the banjo so well? Again, I'm very impressed. Of course, Steve gets great help from Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Mary Black, actor Eugene Levy and, as I noted above, Earl Scruggs--just to name a few!

I highly recommend this for bluegrass fans; and maybe fans of country and even other types of music will appreciate this CD as well. I truly hope that Steve Martin releases another album like this one very soon.

Thank you, Steve!