Album Review: Jerry Douglas - Traveler

This is one of the best albums to come out of the country folk scene in a long time. Douglas is a world-renowned dobro player and has teamed up with some well-chosen A-List stars to make this an incredibly focused record. With their slightly metallic sound and unique tone, dobros are currently well in fashion, particularly with young folk artists plying their acoustic trade in cafes across the world.

Douglas is a multiple Grammy winner and has played with many of the greats including James Taylor and Alison Krauss just to mention two. On Traveler, the choice of songs and guests is sublime. The highlight of the album is a reworking of The Boxer, the classic Simon & Garfunkel track. Using Mumford & Sons gives the track an immediacy that often these heavyweight players miss out on. High Blood Pressure with Keb' Mo' is another really solid effort that is traditional in all the right ways. Listen to On A Monday and you'll hear where John Butler gets his inspiration. The song comes to life under the dobro's hammer.

As the album title suggests, Douglas is a traveller through the musical influences that work through the roots and festival scene. The joy of being a master of his instrument makes these songs jump off the player. From the blues of New Orleans to the country pickings of the Appalachian Mountains, Douglas grabs it all and unfurls for our listening pleasure one hell of a full hand.