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Keller Williams With the Travelin’ McCourys : Pick

SCI Fidelity

Though he built his reputation as a solo performer, Keller Williams has always maintained his love for performing with a band; whether it’s alongside members of The String Cheese Incident or Yonder Mountain String Band or pairing with fellow musicians in the WMDs, he loves collaboration. And he’s anything but predictable, moving through folk, rock, reggae, funk and more. Pick, his nineteenth recording, finds him collaborating with The Travelin’ McCourys and playing one of his favorite styles—bluegrass. Here, the multi-instrumentalist sticks to acoustic guitar, kicking it off with “Something Else,” an upbeat acoustic ditty with blistering banjo and mandolin (Rob and Ronnie McCoury). It’s a love song written to someone looking for more out of life. “American Car” is an ode to everyday living just as “Broken Convertible” is to an open mind. And of course there’s some great pickin’ and old timey harmonies, too. My Morning Jacket’s “I’m Amazed” gets the bluegrass treatment and is a standout, as is “Bumper Sticker” with the legend himself, Del McCoury joining Williams on harmonies.