Howlin at the Moon

In the church of bluegrass, mandolinist and fiddler Sam Bush has long been a nonconformist--or at least the musical equivalent of a Cafeteria Catholic. In 1971, at 19, the rhythmic demon founded New Grass Revival, and for the next 18 years alternately amazed and enraged traditionalists, extending the band's purview to reggae, jazz, and rock. Bush's third solo album finds him in top, blindingly fast form: note the high-level cheer of "Hold On" or "Face Tomorrow." On the instrumental collaborations with long-time pals such as Bela Fleck and Jerry Douglas, the mandolin-meister shines, as ever. But why is it that he never gets enough credit as a violinist? The wailing intro to "Crossing the Transippi" demonstrates that Bush plays second fiddle to no one. --Kerry Fried