Mighty Poplar cover

Mighty Poplar

Mighty Poplar

Album · 2023 · Free Dirt DIRT-CD 0111

Mighty Poplar is the self-titled debut of a five-piece group made up of Andrew Marlin (mandolin; of Watchhouse), Noam Pikelny (banjo) and Chris Eldridge (guitar) of Punch Brothers, bassist Greg Garrison of Leftover Salmon, and fiddler Alex Hargreaves, who plays with Billy Strings. Free Dirt Records released it on 31 March 2023. According to the press release, the project grew out of impromptu backstage jams between Marlin and the others at festivals, and Marlin, a lifelong song collector, chose most of the songs and sang most of the leads. The ten tracks were recorded in Nashville at the Tractor Shed.

The song choices run from A. P. Carter’s “A Distant Land to Roam” and “Blackjack Davy” to Bob Dylan’s “North Country Blues,” Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac,” John Hartford’s “Let Him Go On Mama” (sung by Eldridge, with Marlin on harmony) and “Up on the Divide,” written by Martha Scanlon. Garrison sings lead on “Lovin’ Babe,” a traditional song arranged with added lyrics by Kristin Andreassen. The traditional pieces “Grey Eagle” and “Little Joe,” and a pairing of the tunes “Kicking Up the Devil on a Holiday” and “Dr. Hecock’s Jig,” carry arrangement credits to the whole band. Mighty Poplar was nominated for Best Bluegrass Album at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

Tracklist

  1. 1 A Distant Land to Roam Source Recording A.P. Carter · key D · 138 bpm 2:33
  2. 2 Up on the Divide Source Recording Martha Scanlan · key Eb · 167 bpm · 3/4 3:20
  3. 3 Grey Eagle Source Recording Traditional · key A · 143 bpm 3:49
  4. 4 Lovin’ Babe Source Recording Traditional · key F · 68 bpm 5:48
  5. 5 Blackjack Davy 3:06
  6. 6 North Country Blues Source Recording Bob Dylan · key B · 154 bpm · 3/4 4:08
  7. 7 Little Joe alt version 3:04
  8. 8 Let Him Go On Mama alt version 4:10
  9. 9 Kicking Up the Devil on a Holiday / Dr. Hecock's Jig 5:50
  10. 10 Story of Isaac Source Recording Leonard Cohen · key F · 68 bpm 6:20

Share Playlist