Released on the heels of the excellent Cuttin’ Grass, the two-album bluegrass project The Ballad of Dood & Juanita finds Sturgill Simpson continuing to explore traditional music in a fictional historical tale. The Ballad of Dood and Juanita is a cinematic country western concept album set during the Civil War and follows a military veteran called Dood as he tracks down his kidnapped bride Juanita. Crackling campfire sounds, gunshots, galloping horses, frogs and cricket sounds, and percussive elements are brought to the recording to give it more of a cinematic feel. The 10-song collection was written and recorded in a week using many of the musicians from the Cuttin’ Grass albums, with Simpson playing an enhanced version of bluegrass that wanders into Latin music and old cowboy tune territory. A few album highlights include: the Buck Owens-esque ode to Dood’s trusty steed “Shamrock”; an a cappella tribute to Dood’s hound dog on “Sam”; the tribute of sorts to Simpson’s grandparents “Dood & Juanita”; the South of the Border influenced “Juanita”; and the barn-burner “Go in Peace.” In closing, Simpson describes the album as “a simple tale of either redemption or revenge,” and a “rollercoaster ride through all the styles of traditional country and bluegrass and mountain music that I love, including gospel and a cappella.” Regardless of which end of the spectrum listeners land, the LP is yet another gem from this modern master. – Written by JFelton
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