Wake Up, Sinners review

One might expect an album full of wonderful gospel songs and beautiful group harmony. But the Dirt Daubers play authentic, rough and speeded up banjo-driven folk/americana music. The group consists of J.D. Wilkes (banjo/harmonica/piano/kazoo/vocals) who has previously played with Th' Legendary Shack Shakers, his wife Jessica on mandolin and vocals, and Mark Robertson on bass. In 2009, they released their self-titled debut album. "Wake Up, Sinners," their second long-player, was released recently on September 13, 2011.

When I began to listen to the album, I expected something different. Well - in fact, I did not know what to expect but I sure expected something else. The tracks on the album are often dominated by Wilkes' banjo but also borrow elements from various other southern music styles. The opening track, the traditional "Wayfaring Stranger" is a good intro to the musical world of the Dirt Daubers. I always felt fascination for this song and their version is no bad one either, a great track to begin with. Some of the songs have a "spicy" sound, for example "Devil Gets His Due," "Get Outta My Way," some sound more folkish like "Angel Along the Tracks" or "Say Darlin' Say" and some in turn sound like the devil was right in the studio ("I Can't Go to Heaven"). The Dirt Daubers also do a great job on "Single Girl," a popular tune from the 1920s recorded by such artists as Riley Puckett and Vernon Dalhart.

What strikes me most is the incredible speed of the band on almost every song. Though, none of the songs are boring or redundant. Everyone has its own charm, borrows elements from different styles and is great to listen to. Sure one of the best albums released in the folk/americana field this year.

You can obtain a copy here.