Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers release The Long-Awaited Album on Rounder Records/Decca Records. Martin's latest collaboration with the Grammy-winning North Carolina-based band the Steep Canyon Rangers, is full of stories that mix humour and melancholy, whimsy and realism, rich characters and concrete details. And lots of banjos...

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers's The Long-Awaited Album is a collection of 14 new songs (38 min, 56 sec) including the boisterous and humorous new track 'Caroline', the deeply romantic tune 'All Night Long' and the fantastical song 'Santa Fe', which showcases the lively dynamic between Martin and the Rangers.

I'm not Martin's biggest fan, I've always thought that he has one character he can play in his movies: that of Steve Martin. So I wasn't sure what I'd make of this album, especially considering I'm not overly keen on Bluegrass either...

The Long-Awaited Album is both humourous and catchy. Who can't fail to be hooked by 'Canadian Girl'; 'Strangest Christmas Yet' or 'Nights In The Lab'. Martin's voice is almost unrecognisable too, as he effortlessly breezes through the album.

Diversity is the winning formula here, from reflective songs, instrumental tracks and humourous musings on life... it spreads its net wide. It's an interesting album and you don't have to be a fan of the genre to get a kick out of it.

9

Nick Smithson