New Old-Time

The Old Crow Medicine Show is a new string band in the old-time tradition. Their eponymous debut wowed many critics, and their song "Wagon Wheel" became a minor underground hit. Their sophomore effort, Big Iron World, lives up to expectations as a sometimes slow, sometimes up beat, but always fun and powerful album. A slight departure from their traditionalist debut, the quintet ventures into social commentary ("I Hear Them All") and gospel ("God's Got It"), as well as old-time standards ("Cocaine Habit" and "Union Maid"). Fiddler Ketch Secor and guitarist Willie Watson prove to be an especially powerful vocal duo, with banjo and dobro player Critter Fuqua joining in to create the distinctive tight harmonies of old time and bluesgrass music. Yet they also know how to rock, giving a great, Rolling Stones-esque performance on "Down Home Girl," a song done by the Stones in their early days. This album is a great sequel to "OCMS," and one that displays their many talents.