These days, some folks like to differentiate between “traditional” and “modern” or “progressive” bluegrass. Arkansauce prefers that last description. And that fits, given how much the band incorporates from other musical traditions.

Arkansauce OK to Wonder (self-released)

I’ve never been much of a traditionalist, and bluegrass itself has been pulled fitfully into the future at least since Bela Fleck’s arrival decades ago. I know, no one considers him a bluegrass artist, but the influence is obvious. Arkansauce can fingerpick with the best, but its harmonies are ragged and the songs themselves often break out of bluegrass forms.

While retaining the standard quartet instrumentation of bass, guitar, mandolin and banjo, many of the songs have more in common with jam bands or jazz ensembles. Which is just another way of saying there are plenty of variations on a theme, especially in the instrumentals.

So, yeah, there are echoes of the Dregs and other bands that incorporated bluegrass and other traditional music into rock. Arkansauce simply reverses that flow. The result is a sparkling restatement of bluegrass, one that is far too engaging to criticize simply because it bends a few rules. These guys sound like they’re having way too much fun. I know I did.

Jon Worley