Railroad Earth at La Zona Rosa 2010
Nothing says hillbilly quite like Railroad Earth. With their long, scraggly hair and back country beards, half of the members look like their were born with mandolins and banjos in their arms. The other half, especially lead singer Todd Sheaffer, look like the guys who show up when I call tech services, but their bluegrass sound and talent is unmistakable.
I saw Railroad Earth last fall when they came through Austin. My friend laughed at the way their fiddle, mandolin, banjo trifecta turned me into a melting, giddy, foot stomping fan. Sheaffer’s voice lends a distinctive sound, while the trifecta of strings delicately support him.
I love Railroad Earth not only for their jam sound and instrumental talent, but for their poetic lyrics. My favorite song off of their Black Bear Sessions is Seven Story Mountain, an allusion to Thomas Merton’s autobiography. If you haven’t read it, it is a must. In the meantime, here is the bluegrass take on it.
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