When at Last Review – listennashville.com
Russ Barenberg, When At Last, 2007 (Compass Records)
Nashville-based bluegrass guitarist Russ Barenberg has just released his first solo record in nearly twenty years called When At Last. For those not familiar with Barenberg, he is, without a doubt, one of the finest acoustic guitarists in the world. As a member of the Transatlantic Sessions house band he has performed with countless bluegrass, country, and folk icons. When he’s not overseas performing with other world-class Celtic and Bluegrass musicians, he hones his chops in Nashville as a member of a Bluegrass trio that includes Edgar Meyer and Jerry Douglas.
Indeed, Jerry Douglas and a handful of other Nashville bluegrass pillars leave more than their mark on When At Last. But although the record has an ensemble sound, the record is virtually all Barenberg. Not only were ten of the eleven tracks written by Barenberg, he also took on production responsibilities. The result—Russ Barenberg has created (in the fullest sense of the word) an enchanting blend of American and Irish hill-country music—a quintessential transatlantic session, and a modern classic for all those who love an “Irishy” bluegrass sound driven by beautiful melodies.
Although the songs on When At Last are clearly influenced by traditional forms of Bluegrass and Celtic music, there is an appealing contemporary feel to many of the songs reminiscent of Nickel Creek’s self-titled Sugar Hill debut, sans vocals. The absence of vocals, however, allows Barenberg to do what he does best—provide lyrical acoustic solos that (performed mostly on 40’s era Gibson J-45’s) simultaneously evoke old and new while lifting the songs from the garden into the heavens. Indeed, Barenberg’s guitar playing on When At Last is fluid, precise, and in the case of “A Dream for Sophie,” magical. Fans of outstanding music should not hesitate to purchase When At Last. When you do, take one of your favorite long drives through the country while you listen, and enjoy.
— Vincent Wynne www.listennashville.com
