Banjoist Chris Pandolfi’s new solo album, Looking Glass, was recently released by the great Sugar Hill label. It is a self-produced collection of instrumental music that (without vocals) is significantly less pop oriented than his work as a member of The Infamous Stringdusters. And while I’m not any sort of expert on the subject, even though I’d call this a bluegrass album, many songs seem to have a more progressive (and almost jazzy) sound rather than “feeling” like traditional bluegrass. Maybe a little like Bela Fleck? Anyhow, strong (almost lyrical) melodies abound on Looking Glass and even though it might sound adventurous to old-school bluegrass purists, it never gets too crazy. I really like this album. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Pandolfi’s Looking Glass is a bluegrass album that sorta challenges the boundaries of the genre and might even find an audience with more mainstream music fans.
MP3 | Chris Pandolfi – Big Bend Looking Glass
MP3 | Chris Pandolfi – Machines Looking Glass
