Last month I did a piece on Laura Love and mentioned that I was expect her new cd, NeGrass (pronounced: KNEE-grass), in the mail shortly. Well, I am here to make good on that word.

Upon learning her paternal grandmother was in the first generation of Texas ancestors born free Laura had the idea to make a bluegrass record spiced with traditional spirituals and Negro hollers. Negrass tells the story of Laura’s ancestors as she imagines it from the end of the civil war when they were being freed from slavery and stepping into a new, uncertain life. To do so Laura went to Nashville and hooked up with bluegrass instrumentalist and producer Tim O’Brien along with Tracy Nelson, Barbara Lamb, Scott Vestal, Jeff Autry, Rob Ickes, Mike Bub and Alice Vestal. One (me) wonders why Ms. Jen Todd was absent in the recording of this album. The result is a slightly different sound than we are used to from Ms. Love but not so different as to alienate long time fans. Besides, Laura could sing over techno and her voice would still make it wonderful (god damn that woman can sing).

While I’ll stop shy of calling this a concept album the end result does tell a cohesive story with each song holding it’s own within the track listing. The cd ends feeling like as much of a historical experience as it is a great listening experience. Furthermore, NeGrass, in my opinion, is probably Laura’s strongest release since 2000’s Fourteen Days.

Laura Love - Savin’
Laura Love - Angry Days
Laura Love - John Hardy

Laura Love’s Official Site, Buy NeGrass

Good news Tampa. While collecting the links for this piece I noticed that Laura is booked for an October 28 show at Skippers. If you’ve seen Laura live then I know you’ll be there. If haven’t ever had a chance to see her live don’t miss it!