Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Instrumentals
Though the title describes the contents of the latest release by the veteran mandolin virtuoso and his crack band, it hardly suggests how far this musical interplay extends beyond bluegrass convention. The soaring strings of "Crossing the Briney" suggest the soundtrack to an imaginary movie, while "Going to Richmond" and "Goin' to the Ceili" both springboard from Irish reels as well.  There's a clarinet break in the jazzy "Gallatin Rag," and accordion graces a couple of the other tracks. Skaggs pays tribute to a couple of other bluegrass progressives in "Missing Vassar" (in homage to the late Clements) and "Dawg's Breath" (for David Grisman). Though all of the musicians get ample opportunity to showcase their chops, what's most impressive is the cohesiveness of the ensemble, the way they serve the music and support each other instead of simply showing off.--Don McLeese