VARIOUS ARTISTS
Green Day Blue Grass: Pickin' On Green Day
(CMH Records)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Green Day Blue Grass, part of CMH Records "Pickin' On" tribute series, features 10 Green Day songs performed by the L. A. bluegrass band Honeywagon. This trio consists of Bryan Clark, guitar, dobro, and vocals; Loren Ellis, 5 string banjo, mandolin, guitar, and backup vocals; plus Benjamin Levine, upright bass and backup vocals. In general, the musicians attack Green Day's music with a fury, acquitting themselves well. The vocals are decent, the instrumentation top notch, and the presentation sufficiently urgent. However, I personally find that the "Pickin' On" series shines when it honors artists from more traditional genres like country music or spirituals. It's simply far too great a stretch for my musical sensibility to appreciate bluegrass versions of punk rock. Regardless of how well the players pick, the barriers are too great to overcome. Diehard fans of Green Day and the curious should seek out this CD. Others, be forewarned. Punk Rock bluegrass is not for everyone.

[Pick this up at http://www.cmhrecords.com.]

© 2005 - Ron Saranich