Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo

Personnel: Steve Martin (vocals, banjo); Dolly Parton, Mary Black, Tim O'Brien, Vince Gill (vocals); John McEuen (guitar, banjo, mandolin, electric bass); Russ Barenberg, Michael Daves (guitar); Jerry Douglas (dobro); Earl Scruggs, Pete Wernick, Tony Trischka (banjo); Stuart Duncan (mandolin, fiddle); Matt Flinner (mandolin); Jourdan Urbach (violin); Craig Eastman, Brittany Haas (fiddle); Liam Og O'Floinn (tin whistle, Uilleann pipe); Hans Olson (harmonica); Chris Caswell (accordion, piano); Skip Ward (acoustic bass); Bruce Martin (bodhran, tabla, percussion); David Amram , Kenny Malone (percussion).
Audio Mixers: Nick Sevilla; Nicholás Sevilla.
Liner Note Author: Steve Martin.
Recording information: Acoustic Traveller Studio, Hollywood, CA; Bennett Studios, Englewood, NJ; Cauldron Studio; Dublin, Ireland; Ocean Way Studios, Nsahville, TN.
The banjo has been a major player in Steve Martin's act since his earliest days of stand-up. Back in the era of wild 'n' crazy guys and arrows through heads, the comedian's bluegrass breakdowns seemed just another puzzle piece to his absurdist shtick. However, four decades into a career of comedy, movies, novels, and memoirs, Martin proves his banjo love no passing fancy on his dead-serious 2009 musical debut, THE CROW. It's a somber yet fun affair that ranges from rollicking instrumentals like "Hoedown at Alice's" and "Tin Roof" (on which he is joined by fellow comedian-musician Eugene Levy) to the rich country balladry of "Pretty Flowers" (featuring Dolly Parton & Vince Gill in gentle duet). The only time Martin regresses to silliness comes on "Late for School," a dizzying, sweet, and downright hilarious narrative of a dash to beat the opening bell told from the frantic schoolboy's perspective.