Renowned bluegrass mandolinist Danny Roberts has released a new single, “The Drifter,” through Mountain Home Music Company. This original composition highlights Roberts’ diverse musical influences beyond his established role with The Grascals. The song is notable for its languid opening, unique chord structure, and fluid solos.
Roberts explained that “The Drifter” is a tribute to his favorite mandolin player, David Grisman, aiming to capture the essence of Grisman’s style. He also mentioned that the title of the song honors his late brother-in-law, Mike Mullins, who wrote a book titled The Drifter.
The track features banjo, fiddle, and guitar solos that seamlessly integrate with Roberts’ mandolin, culminating in a powerful finale. While there are clear influences of Grisman’s “Dawg music” style in the melody and rhythms, “The Drifter” puts the spotlight on Roberts’ originality and the skill of his accompanists.
Roberts expressed his enjoyment in recording the track and highlighted the contributions of his wife, Andrea, on bass, as well as Tony Wray on banjo and guitar, and Jimmy Mattingly on fiddle. He remarked on the exceptional quality of the musicians and their ability to bring his vision to life.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central