Chris Jones & the Night Drivers Review

by Bea Willis

Singer, guitarist and songwriter Chris Jones is not only an outstanding artist, but he is also the host of SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction, one of the most widely heard broadcasting voices in bluegrass music today. Following apprenticeships with bluegrass legend Dave Evans and Chicago’s durable Special Consensus, Jones has a collection of stellar recordings, while appearing and recording with some of the world’s most respected musicians including: The Chieftains, Earl Scruggs, Vassar Clements and Tom T. Hall. He has performed on the The Grand Ole Opry with Laurie Lewis, Lynn Morris, and The Whitstein Brothers, while the Night Drivers have made extensive use of his original songs, Chris’ songs have also been recorded by other artists, including the Gibson Brothers, Lou Reid & Carolina and The Chapmans. Jones is currently signed to one of bluegrass music’s top record labels, Mountain Home Music Company, for whom they’ve recorded two critically acclaimed albums and generated five #1 songs on the bluegrass music charts. Altogether, Chris has had nine chart-topping songs, and has won six IBMA awards. The Night Drivers are: Jon Weisberg on bass, Gina Clowes on banjo and Mark Stoffel on Mandolin. Jones and the band have a new single out called “Bend in the Road.”

“Bend in the Road” is set to a medium-up tempo pulse offers a driving rhythm, Jones’ warm voice conveys the lyrics with style and heart. The band is in excellent form, especially new-comer Clowes. The vocal harmonies are memorable and Clowes timbre blends well with Jones’ rich vocal resonance. The song’s structure is straight forward and builds on the tradition that is bluegrass. The tune is positive and is another example of Jones’ and Weisberger’s top-shelf songwriting capabilities.

The single is a teaser to the bands up-coming album. Jones is accompanied by some of the best players in bluegrass and his voice is individual and full of authentic delivery and overtone, that is unmistakably bluegrass. This band is excellent, get the single and watch for the album. Highly recommended.

Chris Jones & the Night Drivers Review

Tracks to sample first: “Bend in the Road.”

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