ALBUM REVIEW: Bluegrass Stalwarts The Seldom Scene Return With ‘Remains To Be Scene’

In the beginning,  The Seldom Scene was heard more than seen. But as word spread of their prowess, the band was coerced away from their hometowns and day jobs to play music in front of people. Formed in Bethesda, Maryland in 1971, the original Scene was comprised of mandolinist John Duffey, banjo player Ben Eldridge, guitarist John Starling, bassist Tom Gray, and dobro player Mike Auldridge. They became bluegrass stalwarts, but the group also had no problem wandering outside that genre and collecting tunes from across the musical spectrum (including covers of blues rock songs like J.J. Cale’s “After Midnight” and Eric Clapton’s “Lay Down Sally”).

Fifty-three years later, all the original members are gone, but the sound and the name live on, courtesy of mandolin player Lou Reid, bassist Ronnie Simpkins, banjoist and fiddler Ron Stewart, dobro player Fred Travers, and guitarist Dudley Connell. And just like the original band did in the beginning, the current Scene’s latest offering, Remains To Be Scene, shows that the band has no trouble translating rock and folk classics into its own musical language: On their version of The Kinks’ laid back “Last of The Steam Powered Trains,” the Scene packs a powerful punch, chugging along, huffing and puffing until they get midway up the grade.

The Scene also tackles two Bob Dylan classics, “Farewell Angelina” and “Walking Down the Line.” Connell’s vocal on “Farewell Angelina” is stunning, totally transforming the tune into a country western soundscape like a revival of The Sons of the Pioneers.   Connell also tackles vocals on Jim Croce’s back porch, country-folk hit from 1972, “A Good Time Man Like Me Ain’t Got No Business (Singin’ The Blues),” taking it a bit farther up the road into high and lonesome country. These contributions are even more poignant knowing that Connell will be retiring after 29 years and this is his last offering with the band.

Everybody in the band can sing lead, though, and they all get a turn on this 11-piece showcase. But no matter who’s out front at the moment, the Scene’s exquisite instrumental backdrop still commands attention. The group is as tight as any family harmony outfit, with dobro, fiddle, banjo, and guitar blending into a seamless unit that flows like a pristine mountain stream. Stop, look, and listen — the Scene is back on track and rolling smoothly.

The Seldom Scene’s Remains To Be Scene is out March 14 via Smithsonian Folkways.