Melding hard-won bluegrass chops, great songwriting, superb ensemble playing, and a tight-knit sound many bands never achieve, John Reischman and the Jaybirds have forged a unique and utterly engaging style that should appeal to fans of first-generation bluegrass to those seeking more modern tones.

On That Other Green Shore is another classic album from John Reischman and the Jaybirds, filled with clever arrangements, class-leading singing and playing, wonderful originals, and fine interpretations of traditional tunes. The mountains that they call home may be along the Pacific Coast instead of Eastern Kentucky, but the music they play rings clear and true from sea to shining sea.

On That Other Green Shore showcases an accomplished, experienced band at the peak of their powers, with musicianship of the very highest order. The Jaybirds put their own particular stamp on bluegrass, old time and acoustic roots music, with a satisfying blend of traditional and modern styles, and they also give the impression that they really enjoy playing together. There’s plenty here to please both bluegrass traditionalists and lovers of modern American folk music, especially for those with an appreciation of great harmony singing as well as masterful instrumental playing.

Reischman and his predominately British Columbia-and-Washington state-based Jaybirds…..make effortless-sounding music that strikes its own balance of technical virtuosity and emotional honesty, and finds its own relaxed voice in a repertoire that comfortably embraces bluegrass and old-time classics, blues, gospel, original instrumentals and songs, and the Beatles.

….. one of the most beguiling bluegrass-rooted recordings of 2017, opens with the Nick Hornbuckle composition “Wellesley Station” taken at a medium clip, with banjo, guitar, mandolin, and fiddle rotating through the melody and investigating various permutations. Nothing feels rushed. That sense of ease comes through on the other instrumentals……whether the pace is slow or brisk. And it shapes the lead vocals and the tight-knit harmonies, as well. The elastic space between instruments allows your ears to swing from to another and delight in each.

The musical vision that propels the Jaybirds may be Reischman’s, but there is no singular star here that outshines the other.

Mandolinist John Reischman has largely kept his music-making within the broad outlines of the old-time and bluegrass tradition……..One of his defining qualities as a bandleader is his willingness to let others shine, and on his latest album he does that very effectively…….There’s a Beatles tune here along with some traditional and original fiddle tunes and vocal numbers, and all of it is excellent.

If you want solid, no-nonsense bluegrass music these days, you won’t go wrong with any release by John Reischman and The Jaybirds. Their latest release On That Other Green Shore is no exception. Bluegrass, oldtime, gospel, multi-part harmonies, danceable instrumentals, even a Beatles cover – as usual, The Jaybirds do it all just right.