Steve Martin: Rare Bird Alert Review

Artist: Steve Martin
Album: Rare Bird Alert
Label: Rounder (March 15, 2011)

Steve Martin has released the follow-up to his immensely popular and Grammy award-winning debut album, The Crow: New Songs for the 5 String Banjo. Since The Crow’s release in 2009, Martin has been cementing himself in as a key player in contemporary bluegrass, playing with the likes of Earl Scruggs and Tony Trischka. Martin’s new album, Rare Bird Alert, was recorded with the North Carolina-based bluegrass band, The Steep Canyon Rangers, who have been touring with Martin since early 2010. Since adding Martin, the group has played several popular festivals including the New Orleans Jazzfest and Bonnaroo, and much like The Crow, Rare Bird Alert possesses the same humorous and quirky charm that accompanies any Steve Martin creation, while also demonstrating his love and appreciation for bluegrass.

This album is well-constructed from start to finish. There’s definitely no shortage of toe-tapping, knee-slapping, spoon-playing, traditional bluegrass excellence on Rare Bird Alert. The title track and “Northern Lights” are gems that even the longest listening bluegrass veteran has to appreciate. On the other end of the spectrum, tracks like “The Great Remember (For Nancy)” and “More Bad Weather on the Way” are gentle and intimate at times, quick and affecting at others, and remind one of everything from Bill Monroe to the Flecktones. Absolutely all of it is peppered with the oddball humor that has set Martin apart from other comedians with tracks like “Jubilation Day” and “Atheists Don’t Have No Songs.” Overall, this album is a must-have on all accounts and we can eagerly look forward to more great music from Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers.