Blue is certainly a most popular color, and the fashionable bluegrass performed by Deeper Shade of Blue is a contemporary sound gaining widespread attention and radio airplay. Like the vastness of a blue sky, this tight and experienced band from Charlotte, N.C. presents a variety of songs on Twenty that offer some interesting, unique sonic tints from cyan to cobalt, and indigo to ultramarine. That’s why I especially liked their renditions of songs like Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers’ 1975 hit “Broken Lady,” “Blue was Just a Color,” “Whether or Not” and “Blue and Broken Hearted.”

The color blue also has positive qualities and can be associated with trust, reliability and optimism in songs like “I’m on My Way” and “Promise We Made.” Like the color itself, Deeper Shade of Blue realizes that their music must have intensity, radiance and depth to make a significant impact. While I slightly missed the instrumental hue of a guest fiddler on some numbers like “Making Plans,” “Power in a Moment,” and “Jared’s Rag,” the band still has a copious amount of drive and energy. And each song has distinctive character with considerable depth and emotion. 

Deeper Shade of Blue was formed in 2000 by Jim Fraley (banjo), Jason Fraley (mandolin) and Brian Hinson (bass). In 2015, Scott Burgess replaced Hinson on bass. In 2018, they released Steam on the Mountain Fever label. In 2020, Jim Fraley retired from the band, and Steve Wilson assumed banjo duties. The other band members are Troy Pope (guitar) and Frank Poindexter (Dobro) who is the uncle of the Rice Brothers (Tony, Larry and Wyatt). Tony and Wyatt appear as special guests on Twenty, and three songs (“Jared’s Rag,” “If You Only Knew” and “Four Wheel Drive”) were written by Wyatt or Larry.

Now associated with the prestigious Pinecastle label, Deeper Shade of Blue celebrates the band’s two decades of solid bluegrass performance. Over the years, the color blue has no doubt inspired their music. I only question why the graphic designers didn’t make the album jacket a wonderful shade of midnight, Navy or baby blue. Whatever the reason, Deeper Shade of Blue’s broad range of pleasant music on Twenty has a cool, calming effect with contrasting yet harmonious moods. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)