Last month, the Manitoban bluegrass band Stanley County Cut-Ups released its latest single “All Aboard,” a cover of a classic bluegrass song. With powerful vocals backed by high-energy musicians on guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass, the Cut-Ups take listeners on a thrilling musical train ride.
Tim Osmond, who plays banjo in the band, wrote that “All Aboard” was first recorded by The Del McCoury Band in 2001.
“Del McCoury is a living legend of bluegrass music and is still performing in his 86th year on Earth.” On behalf of the band, Osmond said, “all of us love his music and appreciate the contribution and inspiration he has given the world […] This song in particular was a favourite with the band due to [its] kickass drive, and T.J.’s vocals just nail it.”
“All Aboard” tells the story of a speaker on a train when a mysterious stranger strikes up a conversation with them about the fellow passengers. The train reflects a poignant metaphor for life — some passengers are so preoccupied with trivial matters they forget to look out the window and enjoy the ride.
The band’s passion for the original is certainly reflected in their cover. T.J. Blair, the main vocalist on the track, delivered a strong performance. His vocals are powerful, resonant and with an edge of roughness to evoke the rugged landscape of the Appalachian Mountains where bluegrass originates.
Though not a bluegrass musician, I instantly recognized the dexterity, groove and finesse required of the instrumentalists to execute the virtuosic licks and solo passages in the track. Recorded and mastered in Winnipeg by Jaxon Haldane and Jamie Sitar respectively, the sound quality is nothing short of superb.
Osmond explained that the Stanley County Cut-Ups began almost two decades ago when he started playing with bassist Jess Reimer and mandolinist Jeremy Hamm. Coincidentally, the three musicians all lived on Sherbrook Street.
“We originally met one day while we were playing on our respective porches, and between the sounds of the buses and motorcycles, I could hear a mandolin and bass coming from somewhere. And they could hear a banjo coming from somewhere. We’ve been playing together ever since,” wrote Osmond.
With guitarist T.J. Blair and fiddler Jeremy Penner joining soon after, the band was complete. Osmond described the Cut-Ups as enjoyers of the classic bluegrass sound who play country-flavoured music with a folksy twist.
The band is currently on track to perform gigs across Manitoba in the fall and at the Folk Music Ontario Conference in Ottawa in October.
“We’re hoping to bring our brand of Manitoba bluegrass outside the province, next year and beyond,” Osmond said.
“All Aboard” is available for download on Bandcamp and at stanleycountycutups.com. Follow the Stanley County Cut-Ups on Instagram and Facebook at @stanleycountycutups to keep up with future performances and releases.
