Steve Martin is a serious and creative banjo player. You may have heard he is also a funny man. Last evening, at a concert held at Saratoga’s stunning Mountain Winery, he brought the full range of his talents to the stage. Most of the tunes performed by Mr. Martin and his band, The Steep Canyon Rangers, were Martin originals from his solo album “The Crow.” This is fine new material for the book of bluegrass literature. The top-drawer music was mixed with Martin’s trademark humor and the big close — the “King Tut” song from his 1970s “Saturday Night Live” TV-Show-Guest-Hosting days, done in the bluegrass style. Martin (and the Rangers) will have a new album out soon, ensuring that they will be touring on the bluegrass circuit for some time to come. Abigail Washburn, of Uncle Earl fame, brought her band out as the unannounced opening act, to great acclaim from the surprised audience. This was a fine evening of music for the first show of the two night stand at this beautiful venue high above Silicon Valley. These shows conclude the NCBS June series at the Winery.

More: Jim Harrington’s review in the San Jose Mercury News.

Posted Jun 23rd, 2010 by Michael Hall in Events |