Eighteen musicians contribute in some form to Jack Sanbower's new project called "Echoes of a Legacy". That's because, with the exception of two newly-recorded tracks ("Lady of Spain" and "Emma's Little Lullaby"), they are selected from five previous album releases from Jack and his band. One observance is that the band has apparently had considerable turnover in personnel over the years, but No Leeway's current band members (Jack Sanbower-banjo, Scott Eager-mandolin, Richard Sell-guitar, Carolyn Kellock-bass) appear on the first two tracks.
Interestingly, the 14 instrumentals are presented in reverse chronological order, most recent to most historic. "Polka in the Eye" and "Cactus Jack" come from their 2002 "Same Old Fools" release. Then, we jump all the way back to 1993 for a fiery tune called "No Leeway" from an album called "Thinkin' of Old Memories." Nine additional cuts are gathered from their 1992, 1991 and 1990 albums, "Let Loose," "Throwing Caution to the Wind," and "Just Monkey'in Around."
The common element throughout is Jack's artistic and proficient banjo playing. The reason I like these guys is because they pick with a lot of energy, and they're full of tricks. I think they'd be especially entertaining in a live setting.
Based in Maryland, Jack Sanbower plays with a lot of chromatic creativity and innovation. For example, check out "Down Shift" or "Phantom Train" as the band members share breaks among themselves. That band configuration in 1990-91 seems one of their best -- Ronnie Webb (guitar, mandolin), Pat White (fiddle), Mike Leasure (electric bass), and Darren Beachley (resophonic guitar). Although this album's title refers to echoes, I don't find many repetitive sounds included. Perhaps these are simply his reflections about a body of material from the past.
Besides being a fine picker, "Echoes of a Legacy" is a strong showcase of Sanbower's skill at writing instrumentals with a lot of bluegrass hustle. All but "Lady of Spain" were composed by Jack. He has a knack for catchy melodic riffs, and a tune like "Just Monkey'in Around" also has some rhythmic twists and turns that might even have been inspired by Django Reinhardt's Gypsy jazz music. "Custer's Last Stand" demonstrates a mastery of harmonic bell tones. Many of Sanbower's tunes really kick and are played presto, in rapid tempos of about 180 beats per minute. And this review of his instrumental work during the last 14 years tells me that Sanbower is showing no signs of slowing down.
Joe Ross
Writer and Reviewer
Bluegrass Now Magazine
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