Sorrow Be Gone

AMG Review of Sorrow Be Gone

William Ruhlmann
All Music Guide

The Loose Acoustic Trio revive a number of traditional folk styles with a new twist. In the group's performances, one can hear elements of old-timey country, bluegrass, Cajun, and jug band music as the bandmembers wield their primary instruments (Ken Cooper's guitar and mandolin, Richie Lawrence's accordion, Steve O'Neill's bass) and are joined by guests who add jug, musical saw, tuba, fiddle, Jew's harp, washboard, and snare drum here and there. The trio has a distinct sense of humor without being an outright comedy act; consider, for example, the cover of the Who's "Pinball Wizard," which is set, more or less, to the tune of "The Wabash Cannonball." They can also turn serious, as they do on the title song, which enumerates various causes of sorrow in the world, among them the Iraq War and Hurricane Katrina. Most of the time, however, they are earnest and lightly entertaining as they demonstrate a mastery of musical styles that predate the players by many decades. Anyone who enjoyed the soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou? and wondered if any contemporary performers were playing music like that is encouraged to seek out this band.