WHAT NOW | REVIEW: AMERICANA HIGHWAY

Mike Block Trio – What Now?

September 2022

by John Apice

The title track “What Now?” is this new LP title & highlight (Drops Sept. 30/Bright Shiny Things). A well-recorded, exciting little production with cello (Mike Block), mandolin (Joe K. Walsh) & upright bass/double-bassist (Zachariah Hickman) — a burst of musical potency to the ears. Surprising, & this is a lesson in how to appreciate acoustic music on well-made instruments of the highest quality wood. The sound is warm, yet it has a slicing clear high register of notes that fire away. Rock music for the classical student.

What should sound stuffy & old world comes through with tidy little melodic pleasures. Even the vocalized “One Fine Day,” while a little too orderly & too perfect does sound engaging. The tonal qualities are excellent. Together the vocalizing is rich. It just sounds like they never veer too far from their charts

They have to let loose a little more & I know they can. These guys are pros. The expected “stuffy” music approach has resonance & you can hear it in their fingers or bows. They transcend the old-world starch, cigars & brandy of this kind of music. It’s almost chamber music stirred gently with a bluegrass spoon. These fellows have a good grip on entertainment with classical instruments. Highly recommended.