I just got back from a road trip where I had the opportunity to listen to Jed Marum's Lonestar Banjo CD.

What a wonderful collection of songs and instrumentals!

Jed happens to be a student/writer of songs on the American Civil war, and Pat Murphy of Meagher's Brigade is the opening track, bookended with Jed's own composition Fighting Tigers Of Ireland about the Louisiana Brigade who fought for the Confederacy, with Sweet Ellen Joyce (about the 20th Massachusetts) about halfway in.
Fine songs with solid instrumentation.

There are a few chestnuts here, but each is well-played and each get a fresh lease on life at Jed's capable hands. Such as On Top Of Old Smokey, My Grandfather's Clock, Wayfaring Stranger, and Lily Of The West.

Scottish trad songs like My Love Is Like A Red, Red, Rose, Broom of The Cowdenknowes, and his own instrumental Sands Of Aberdeen are given exquisitely tasteful treatment (a tasteful banjo-player? How novel!) by Jed and his musical cohort which includes Masson Brown on banjo, guitar and vocals, Pete Dawson on Whistle, Jaime Marum on mandolin and octave mandolin, Paul Mills on guitar and mandolin, Hugh Morrison on the button box,Dennis Pendrith, David Shaw and Russell Alvey on various basses.

Irish tunes get their turn too with the Foggy Dew and Down By The Glenside (or the Bold Fenian Men) being handled well.

Jed's own Banjos We Have Heard On High is a seasonal romp that can brighten any midwinter's day.

A truly fine recording, well produced, recorded, mixed, and most importantly - played and sung.

Do yourself a favor and order one from Jed's website: www.jedmarum.com