Album Review: Old Crow Medicine Show

By Aaron Davis (for JHWeekly.com)Carry Me Back OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW ***1/2It’s pretty wild to realize that this Nashville via Virginia and upstate New York group has been together for 15 years now. And with most young groups that grow into their thirties, lineup changes are nearly inevitable. Earlier this year, singer-guitarist Willie Watson left the band, opening the door for a reunion with founding member Critter Fuqua who had taken a lengthy break due to disinterest in touring and to pursue an English degree. Songwriting-wise, along with lead singer/fiddler/harpist Ketch Secor, the big infusion here is the writing of another new member, Cajun Gill Landry, who penned “Genevieve.”  Fiddler Chance McCoy also joined the band in place of mandolinist Cory Younts. Carry Me Back seems as true to OCMS’s genuine old-timey bluegrass and folk roots as its early releases. The only critique of the line-up changes is the power loss in the raggedly soaring three-part harmonies. The punk-ass Southerners from the 1800’s aesthetic still rings loud and clear here, as does the knack for taking controversial subjects of yesteryear and making them relevant today. Standout tracks: “We Don’t Grow Tobacco” and “Mississippi Saturday Night.”