CD Description
The banjo has been a major player in Steve Martin's act since his earliest days of stand-up. Back in the era of wild 'n' crazy guys and arrows through heads, the comedian's bluegrass breakdowns seemed just another puzzle piece to his absurdist shtick. However, four decades into a career of comedy, movies, novels, and memoirs, Martin proves his banjo love nopassing fancy on his dead-serious 2009 musical debut, THE CROW. It's a somber yet fun affair that ranges from rollicking instrumentals like "Hoedown at Alice's" and "Tin Roof" (onwhich he is joined by fellow comedian-musician Eugene Levy)to the rich country balladry of "Pretty Flowers" (featuringDolly Parton & Vince Gill in gentle duet). The only time Martin regresses to silliness comes on "Late for School", a dizzying, sweet, and downright hilarious narrative of a dash to beat the opening bell told from the frantic schoolboy's perspective.