Critiques CD: Joe Grass | Deadlocks

Joe Grass may not be a familiar name, but chances are you’ve heard him make the shadows dance as sideman to many a local talent, from Lhasa to Patrick Watson to Ginette Reno – greater lights who’ve commandeered his six-string skills on the lap steel, mandolin and acoustic guitar. All of Grass’s musical weapons shine brightly on this second solo album as singer and songwriter, and shy away from the spotlight he does not. Confident, cool, subdued and masterful, he leads his troupe through a wide range of folk, country, and pop infected tunes, brush stroked with colors of rock, blues, reggae and world beats.