Waiting On The Gravy Train
This North Carolina pre-grass quartet takes old-time, string- band, and fiddle tunes and injects them with a propulsive energy and  buoyant spirit. To a certain extent, that's what Bill Monroe did more  than 50 years earlier, but unlike Big Mon, the Hoppers stick to the  old-time repertoire exclusively, digging up fine 1920s and 1930s gems;  they also retain old-time's rougher edges, stopping short of  bluegrass's precision. Certainly, they have the chops to merit liner  notes from the venerable Charles Wolfe, especially David Bass on  fiddle, who handles his romping contest-fiddling splashes with aplomb.  Banjoist Frank Lee and guitarist Cary Fridley offer standout  harmonizing, as on the Carter Family's "Anchored in Love," "Warfare,"  and "We Shall All Be Reunited;" Fridley's striking a cappella dirge "A  Roving on a Winter's Night" marks another highlight. Despite their  talent, taste in material, and exuberance, however, they seem to lack  that tiny little distinguishing characteristic that would carry them to  the next level. Still, the sundae is quite tasty, even if the cherry's  missing.--Marc Greilsamer