Banging & Sawing

When this album was recorded in 1984 and 1985, Bob Carlin had pretty much consolidated his position as America’s foremost exponent of clawhammer-style banjo. He had mastered a variety of regional American styles and was conversant with Cajun music, Irish tunes, and the Texas repertoire as well as the usual Appalachian fare. Here he plays alongside such celebrated fiddlers as Bruce Molsky and Judy Hyman, and legendary guitarist Norman Blake makes an appearance as well. The production is generous to the fiddlers; at times it’s actually a bit hard to hear Carlin. But his energy is there driving everything forward, and the tunes are wonderful.