The Bottom Line
Pros
- Who's Your Uncle
- Back in Love Again
- The Best Kept Secret
- Ya Ya etc.
Cons
- None.
Description
- Guest players: Bill Frisell, Alison Krauss, Derek Trucks, Bela Fleck, Sam Bush and John Fogerty
- Jerry Douglas shines the most on this record when not joined by a special guest
- Proof of Douglas' incredibly dexterous dobro skills
Guide Review - Jerry Douglas - The Best Kept Secret
Flanked by some of his nearest, most famous and, of course, most talented friends (Alison Krauss, Bela Fleck, Jeff Coffin, Sam Bush, Bill Frisell, Derek Trucks, to name a few), Douglas winds and whips through eleven well-done songs.Although, at times (particularly on the opening track), the compositions can sound a little musak-y, tunes like "Who’s Your Uncle," with Béla Fleck and Sam Bush, come across as truly impeccable instrumental numbers. When Fleck finally takes the spotlight about midway through the song, you just about think you can’t contain yourself anymore. Then Douglas hops in and shreds it the way only he can before passing the solo on to Bush.
With Alison Krauss on a cover of "Back in Love Again," Douglas puts the bluegrass aside. Krauss gives an unforgettable vocal performance on the soul tune.
The title track is haunting and slightly dark, and is possibly the brightest moment on the record. Perhaps the best kept secret is, in fact, that Douglas has a little funk in him. The track moves slowly at first, until the beat comes in. Or perhaps the best kept secret is that Douglas is just as great a player even when he’s not flanked by superstars like his pal Alison Krauss.
In fact, as the remainder of the album pans out, this becomes far more obvious. Although John Fogerty and Bill Frisell both offer impeccable performances, Douglas shines the most when he is let lose with his band.
