With local Americana band Growl Bear’s new offering, the 20-track concept album “Tales of the Finger Lakes, Western New York & Beyond,” its frontman, singer-songwriter Jeremy Button, has produced a group of story-songs that stand on their own while also making a collective statement about upstate New York culture. He has also secured an impressive roster of Americana-bluegrass musicians from the region who lend their distinctive and recognizable talents to the music. The songs are served by an extensive and impressive cast of regional musicians.
Two of the album’s tracks are reprised songs from “The Dream” reworked with string band arrangements that sound so much closer to a traditional bluegrass sound than anything from the aforementioned debut album.
This version of “When I Pop My Clogs” is a shot of caffeine to the system, turning a sober folk song about coming to terms with one’s own mortality into an upbeat celebration of life and tapping into the mood of being at peace with death. “The St. James Tavern” shows that the right instrumentation — in this case something closer to a traditional bluegrass five-piece — is pivotal to the way music resonates with the listener.
Other songs stand out from the crowded field, including “Orphan Train Mary” and “Mama Don’t Cry.” The latter is a gorgeous ballad about death and loss, and for me is the most well-crafted song on the album.
Jeremy Button and Growl Bear’s album “Tales of the Finger Lakes, Upstate New York & Beyond” is now available to stream on Spotify and Bandcamp.
