Bob and Kristie Black ~ Iowa Songscape Album Reviews: Jim Musser (Iowa City Press-Citizen)

From the: IOWA CITY PRESS-CITIZEN
Review by: Jim Musser
Work Reviewed: Bob and Kristie Black ~ Iowa Songscape

Having served a stint with the legendary Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys back in the mid-70's, Bob Black is a certified world-class banjo picker. He's been a perennial presence on the national festival circuit ever since those halcyon days (currently with all-star hot-doggers Perfect Strangers), but the soft-spoken string wizard has maintained a fairly low profile here in his home stomping grounds.

That's not to say he's above some serious showboating, but the act he shares regionally with his wife, singer/guitarist Kristie, is a cozy, back-porch affair that's as rustic, warm and appealing as a apple pie cooling on the window sill.

Bob's banjo magic has graced many a top-notch recording over the years, but he didn't debut under his own name until 1999's aptly-titled "Banjoy"-a veritable tour-de-force which included the late, great John Hartford among its stellar guest players.

Dedicated to Iowa and its people, "Iowa Songscape" showcases the Blacks' enviable knack for crafting elegant tunes and evocative, goosebump-raising storytelling. Seven of the 13 tracks feature the pair's close-knit vocals, but the six instrumentals (thanks, in part, to the wonderful liner notes) manage to conjure up some thrilling tales as well.

"Iowa Songscape" was recorded with a transparent, living-room immediacy by Rod Mickle at UI's Adio-Visual Department, and features quietly spectacular contributions by Alan and Aleta Murphy, John Purk, Tom Schaefer, Dave Moore and Mark Wilson.

Kristie Black plays rhythm guitar on all but two of the tracks, laying down a sturdy backdrop over which Bob (on banjo and 5-string resonator guitar) and his ace cohorts frolic with clean, rippling lines and jaw-dropping interplay.

The breakneck pace of today's world has got most of us scurrying just to keep up, but it's comforting to know that, just around the corner, there's a place where folks can still carve out something this beautiful and healing. As your doctor, I suggest that you feed one of these to your music box, put your feet up, and let the magic pour over you. You're welcome.