Old Crow Medicine Show - Tennessee Pusher (Nettwerk) I guess you know your string band’s made it to the big time when Don Was rocks up to produce your album. Not that he’s funkified these native Tennesseens, or even dragged them kicking into the 21st century - they’re still fusing the old and the new(ish), with their trademark gritty style, which is great if you find the polished bluegrass of Alison Krauss, Nickel Creek and their ilk a little overcooked. The band’s audio tools remain unchanged: strings - attached to wood, in various shapes and sizes - are vigorously plucked and strummed, and voices that are rooted in another time. Their fourth album proper delivers another sterling selection. The Don Was production is as unobtrusive as his predecessors - Gillian Welch and David Rawlings - and the band continue to play to their many strengths. Hopefully a few UK dates will be forthcoming, and we’ll have the pleasure of experiencing some of these new songs in their natural setting. www.crowmedicine.com Rob F. Next