Pete Krebs / Golden Delicious – Self-Titled
Featuring the work of two separate projects involving Portland, Oregon, musician Pete Krebs, this somewhat schizophrenic collection offers fine work from both sides. The common denominator throughout the disc is Krebs’ high regard for the American folk tradition. His involvement with Golden Delicious, coupled with his solo work, affords him the opportunity to honor this tradition through distinctly different avenues.
First up is Golden Delicious, the barn-busting side of the equation. With their frenetic amalgamation of bluegrass, they reinvent traditional numbers and craft original tunes that stand on their own. Starting things off, “The House Carpenter” is a fine update of the Clarence Ashley standard. “Makin’ Wheels” reveals the band at breakneck speed, while “Jerusalem Ridge” highlights the very talented Marilee Hord on fiddle. “I Truly Understand” features excellent guitar and banjo work from Krebs and Kevin Richey, respectively, closing a solid group of offerings that will challenge you to sit still.
The second half of the disc is an abrupt shift to the solo Krebs material. The tempo slows considerably on four original songs that are decidedly quieter and more heartfelt. The standout track is “Dressed To The Nines”, a beautiful tale of discontent that features Neil Gilpin on violin and viola. Krebs is alone on the remaining tracks, including the catchy “Ashes Back To Vegas” and a quiet musing entitled “We Never Sleep”. Krebs is a talented songwriter with a strong melodic sense; however, the high-energy sound of Golden Delicious is a tough act to follow. Indeed, the challenge here may lie in reconciling these two separate entities side-by-side.