Wake Up Sinners

The Dirt Daubers are a west Kentucky trio who try to put a fresh spin on mountain music/old-time music. Vocals are shared between Colonel JD Wilkes and his wife, Jessica Wilkes. The Colonel plays banjo, harmonica, piano, accordion and kazoo while Jessica plays mandolin, tenor banjo and tenor guitar. Mark Robertson lays supple upright bass lines down and guest musician Steve Latanation provides drums and percussion. Colonel Wilkes also leads The Legendary Shack Shakers, a loud Nashville band who mix blues, country and rockabilly with a punk rock attack. Which means this album is probably a chance to have fun with the wife and take a break from having to hump Marshall amplifiers everywhere.

The Dirt Daubers certainly have a good time, ripping as they do their original songs and folk and gospel standards. Opening track ‘Wayfaring Stranger’ is strong and bodes well but, even with vocals shared between husband and wife, there is a lack of distinctive songs (and arrangements) here. Every number is played fast and for such a short album it quickly becomes tiresome. The US is currently full of youths dressing in vintage and playing musical styles from the 1950s – on Frenchman St in New Orleans outfits like The Dirt Daubers are everywhere, either playing in the dive bars or busking. To stand out you need more than sharp clothes and a fluid banjo player. You need songs. And unfortunately The Dirt Daubers lack ‘em.