Blackgrass Baptism

Blackgrass Baptism(self-released)

facebook.com/blackgrassbaptism

The most striking thing about this debut from the local alt-country bluegrass act is the degree to which banjo/mandolin player Greg Kells sounds like Tom Waits. He’s got a raspy voice that echoes that of the troubadour. The comparison rings particularly true on the album opener, “Dig.” Elsewhere, Kells’ voice doesn’t sound so raspy. He croons a bit in the rollicking “Willie Nelson,” a tribute to the great country singer. Since the band features so many seasoned players (guys like guitarist Ant Petti and Derek Poindexter have been playing local bands for years), the group easily shifts through different styles, at times emphasizing the bluegrass side of its sound (“Johnson Island Rats”) and at other times playing the kind of cowpunk that evokes the Reverend Horton Heat (“King Shit”), albeit with kazoos. All in all, the songs here are good fun.

Blackgrass Baptism performs at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 12 at the 5 O’Clock Lounge in Lakewood.

This article appears in Jul 9-15, 2014.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.

One reply on “Veteran Local Players Distinguish Blackgrass Baptism’s Debut”

  1. Thanks for the nice review. I’m really glad you liked the cd, but I should probably point out one thing. I didn’t sing Willie Nelson. I wish I wrote and sang that one, but credit where credit is due, that was all Ant.

    Greg Kells.

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