Mr. Sun - Extrovert [CD]

Mr. Sun brings together four of the most virtuosic musicians in acoustic music. Led by Darol Anger, an iconic fiddler and founding father of new acoustic music, the four musicians in the band span three generations and offer some of the most jaw-dropping instrumental prowess to be found in any genre. Their sophomore release EXTROVERT picks up where their much-lauded debut left off, exploring the grooves and melodies that exist at the intersection of bluegrass, jazz and swing. In spite of their technical chops, Mr. Sun never loses sight of the light-hearted, musical playfulness that has made them a must-see act on the roots music scene. EXTROVERT opens with the funky, blues-inflected "Tamp 'Em Up Solid," which offers a tongue-in-cheek tip of the hat to the classic "Muleskinner Blues," and which features mandolinist Joe Walsh on lead vocals. Anger offers a sweet reimagining of Lennon and McCartney's "Blackbird," and guitarist Grant Gordy and newest member, bassist Aidan O'Donnell, get a chance to stretch on the angular "A Real Dragon." The swinging "Just a Little Loving" gives each soloist a chance to play the perfect instrumental foil to Anger's fiddlistic flights of fancy and the Anger original "Breaker's Breakdown" showcases the quartet's mastery of the fiddle tune tradition. At the end of the day, more than the chops and instrumental prowess on display, it's the pure joy emanating from Mr. Sun's music that will keep EXTROVERT on repeat.