Lisa Fuglie makes a strong and jazzy vocal statement with the Etta James’ classic, “At Last,” when this disc starts to spin. You immediately realize that Monroe Crossing is no ordinary bluegrass band. In fact, their fifth release is chock full of musical references to other genres too (some Greek influences in “Never on Sunday”, a little country in “Rose of my Heart” and “Oh Lonesome Me,” a little Motown soul in “My Girl,” Celtic flavors in “The Call and the Answer”). Bluegrass is still this band’s foundation, but more and more, I’ve come to appreciate their solid multi-dimensional music as Americana, rooted in tradition but with many branches into other territories.

Monroe Crossing hails from Minnesota, and bands outside Appalachia often take more adventurous tacks as they sail musical waters. Somewhat of a concept album, "Somebody Like You" concentrates on love songs. Mixing instrumentals (“Never on Sunday” and the western swingy “Maiden’s Prayer”) with plenty of vocal numbers, the thematic result is a set with slower to moderate tempos than typically found on your usual bluegrass album. But, then again, this entertaining band seems to be breaking more and more out of the bluegrass mold. When they cover Bill Monroe’s “My Little Georgia Rose” and “Rocky Road Blues,” their arrangements end up more subtle and indirect, than high and lonesome as the Father of Bluegrass did them. Unlike Jim and Jesse McReynolds’ version, “Just Wondering Why” has a visceral and effective quality with a different type of emotional impact than the original. Blackburn’s self-penned title cut is a longing to find just the right person for life’s journey.   

Monroe Crossing has kept fairly constant in their personnel lineup although banjo-player Graham Sones has moved on, and Jeff Whitson then started picking the five-string with them. From Clarksville, Arkansas, Jeff performed with Eversong since the 1990s. The other members are Lisa Fuglie (fiddle, mandolin, guitar), Art Blackburn (guitar), Matt Thompson (mandolin, fiddle) and Mark Anderson (bass).

Monroe Crossing always seems to have surprises up their sleeves. They are able to present their own eclectic interests with plenty of thrills to enthuse a crowd. In the past, I’ve said this band can be a bit hard to peg or categorize. They’ve found a way to walk the line between various genres and earn the respect from many corners of the music community. Their album, “The Green Mossy Ground” was a Minnesota Music Academy (MMA) award winner for “Best Bluegrass/Old-Time Recording.” They were also the only bluegrass band ever nominated by the MMA as “Artist of the Year.” Individually, the band members bring an experience base from many musical walks of life ranging from rock, blues and bluegrass bands. The total package is a compelling set with a distinctive stamp. (Joe Ross)