Banjo player Andy Lowe has released a new single titled “Barbry Allen” featuring Aaron Ramsey (Volume Five) on mandolin and lead vocals. The bluegrass song will be included in Lowe’s forthcoming album, Nervous Energy, scheduled for release August 4, 2023, on Mountain Fever Records. The ensemble also includes Jacob Burleson (Volume Five) on guitar, and Jeff Partin (Rhonda Vincent & The Rage) on bass and resophonic guitar.
“This updated cut of ‘Barbry Allen’ started off a bit different,” Lowe said. “It was the only song for my album where I hadn’t already laid out a clear vision for it by the time we got in the studio. All I knew was that it would fit Aaron’s vocals to a tee; with a little urging and some shameless begging, he agreed to sing it.”
“I’ve heard several versions of ‘Barbry Allen’ over the years, and always loved to hear it done in the Irish ballad/folksy style,” Lowe continued. “But I had zero clue what to do for my own cut. So, we (Aaron, Jeff, Jacob, and I) went back to basics: we sat in a circle with a guitar, trying to come up with a chord progression and melody, and narrowing the verses down into a manageable length without sacrificing the story.”
Moreover, Lowe added, “And as we sat there exchanging ideas, the song took a turn into a more brooding sound because, let’s face it, this isn’t the most heartwarming subject matter. The slower, grittier arrangement was finalized, and we went right into our recording booths and cut it on the second take. No click-track, no charts, just a groove. We were all pleasantly surprised with the final product. As predicted, Aaron sang the absolute fire out of this one, and now ‘Barbry Allen’ has been raised from the dead with new life. Have a listen!!“
Andy Lowe’s previous singles include “Mountain” and “On the Lonesome Wind.”
Buy Barbry Allen.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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