Jim and Jennie and the Pine Barons, (Phovsho 004-2)
Jim and Jennie and the Pinetops, Little Birdie, (Phovsho 004-3)

Bluegrass that was recommended by someone (thank you, Masked Hero, whoever you are...), subject of a long search, then the final satisfaction of finding it in Other Music in Manhattan, a truly well-stocked music shop. Since then these two discs have been in and out of the cd player. The CD Multiplayer, CDs, and the musical diet: there are staples, fancies and fads, exotica, and old favorites. These two cds quickly jumped into the staple category. Other cds came and went, love affairs of the moment, Jim and Jennie remained. For me, it all boils down to one song, "Well Enough Alone," the fourth track on Little Birdie. The picking intro, the duet chorus -- strong voices Jim and Jennie have! -- the regret:

Since my baby's left and gone,
I feel so blue and all alone,
I've lost all I ever owned,
for I couldn't leave well enough alone.

...the chance at redemption; somedays it's not worth waking up unless you think there's that chance. Pity my musical notation's not worth a cracked coffee cup, otherwise I'd try and get across the way it's sung. You'd be dancing and crying at the same time.

Reminds me of going to see Squirrel Nut Zippers (long after they were well-known, long before we went to see them and couldn't 'cause there were so many damn other people there) and watching Jimbo Malthus and Katherine Whalen playing together, except she plays the banjo and here Jennie Benford plays the mandolin.

This is good energetic, four -- and five on the first cd -- people music. There's an Earl Scruggs song on each cd, a number of very good originals songs, and at least a couple of traditionals on each one. For fun check out there version of "Bowling Green" and then go check out Neko Case's. They play out a lot and have an email mailing list to keep people up to date. If you can't find any of the cds, email them at jbenford@voicenet.com, because you want to. Yes, you do. You too will be thanking that Masked Hero.