Open Road

Colorado bluegrass band Open Road’s …in the life is a perfect accompaniment to cooking bacon on a Sunday morning. Or, I imagine it would also be a very nice soundtrack for a romantic little late-night hootenanny just for two. Do I need to tell you that I love it? Producer and formidable Dobro player (and former Chicoan) Sally Van Meter knows quality when she hears it. The opening tune, “Bald Knob Arkansas,” is a yee-hah! piece that showcases guitarist and lead singer Bradford Lee Folk’s fine twangy voice. “What a Change One Day Can Make” is a moving tune (“I’ve lost my father/ I’ve lost my mother/ But oh the thought of losing you…”) enhanced by the banjo work of Keith Reed and spot-on fiddling of Bobby Britt. “One Teardrop and One Step Away” features the fine folkish vocal harmonies with mandolinist Caleb Roberts and bassist Eric Thorin on back-up vocals. This is the real stuff. www.openroadbluegrass.com