Andy Leftwich and a circle of talented acquaintances have released a remarkable original instrumental titled “Behind the 8 Ball,” emerged from their collaborative efforts in the studio late last year.
Right from the outset, the distinctiveness of this composition becomes apparent, as Leftwich’s mandolin and fiddle intertwine around the initial motif, accompanied by the dynamic guitar work of Cody Kilby (of Travelin’ McCourys), the lively banjo playing of Matt Menefee (known for his work with Mountain Heart and Mumford & Sons), and the masterful bass lines of legendary bassist Byron House.
A sequence of flawlessly executed solos follows, highlighting the ensemble’s virtuosity and evident enjoyment of the creative process. Throughout the piece, a diverse array of musical influences is on display, ranging from Celtic airs to Delta blues to gypsy jazz, all seamlessly woven together with nods to traditional bluegrass and old-time music, creating a captivating musical experience.
Reflecting on the piece, Leftwich explains, “The idea of this song was to have an upbeat ‘barn burner’ that could lend itself to some really creative soloing, and I feel like we captured that here,” says Leftwich. “I have to give the credit of the title to my wife, Rachel, who heard me mention this phrase while in the studio recording it. We were moving along, but not at the pace I was hoping, so we were behind on time. At the end of the day, she mentioned naming this song, ‘Behind the 8 Ball.’ I thought it was perfect! It certainly has that anxious spirit we all have from time to time when we get in tough spots, but it’s a fun tune that has great energy and a different sound than you normally hear in bluegrass ‘barn burner’ instrumentals.”
Author: World Music Central News Room
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