Press

Terrific John Lowell review in Bluegrass Unlimited
Known to many as one half of the Growling Old Men with Ben Winship, Lowell is a guitarist and songwriter from Montana, where more good music happens than most folks probably know about. The first sounds on this project include Joe Newberry's old-time banjo and harmony on "Fergus County Jail," a minor-key ballad about bad choices and the resulting consequences.

This entire project is not bluegrass, but it will appeal to many who like their music slightly broader lines of demarcation. Missy Raines is all over this project and her fine taste permeates it like a well-seasoned dish. Becky Buller shows up on fiddle and harmony vocals on the beautiful "Day Dreamers Waltz." The trend continues with guests Greg Cahill, Jeremy Garrett, Chris Jones and John Reischman popping up all over the dozen songs presented here.

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Bluegrass Today review of "This Long Stretch of Gravel"
John Lowell’s name may not be known to most folks, but that doesn’t negate the fact that he’s a superb singer and songwriter who’s drawn the respect and admiration of his musical peers. A glance at the list of those that contribute to his alluring new album, This Long Stretch of Gravel, caps that credence and reflects the respect he’s attained, not only in bluegrass circles, but in wider realms as well.

It takes little more that listing those names to help induce interest. The album features a veritable who’s who of accredited players, among them, eight-time IBMA Award winner Becky Buller, seven-time IBMA winner Missy Raines, the legendary Darol Anger, renowned singer/songwriter/banjo player Ron Block, IBMA winner and Grammy nominated player/producer Greg Cahill, award-winning clawhammer banjo player/songwriter/vocalist Chris Coole, Grammy and IBMA winning fiddle player/writer/singer Jeremy Garrett, IBMA winner/broadcaster /songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Chris Jones, IBMA and Grammy-winning dobro player/vocalist/songwriter Andy Hall, IBMA winner and stellar singer/songwriter Claire Lynch, Little Feat keyboardist Bill Payne, IBMA and Grammy winner/Juno nominee/mandolin player John Reischman, and acclaimed mandolin player Joe K. Walsh, among the many.

That’s a pretty remarkable roster to say the least.

Lowell, a longtime resident of Bozeman, Montana, taught himself to play guitar at age 12 and found himself inspired by the influence of John Denver. He’s plied his craft over the past 35 years, playing with a variety of bands, and eventually released his first solo album in 2012, while also recording with several integral ensembles, some of which bear his name. He’s performed at any number of topflight festivals, and in recent years, got the rare opportunity to do a solo showcase at the IBMA.

That said, This Long Stretch of Gravel may well prove to be his most auspicious effort yet, not only due to the company he keeps, but to a series of songs that evoke the jubilation and joy of Montana’s majestic mountains, and the feeling of clarity and contentment that have always lured folks to western realms. Consequently, the songs are conveyed mostly through a gentle caress, and while they retain the signature style of a bluegrass ballad, the sweet, supple melodies all but assure an unerring appeal. The music takes on a sepia hue, and given the relatively unadorned arrangements, songs such as Fergus County Line, Bodie and A World Far Beyond capture a forlorn folk sound that’s authentic and illuminating all at the same time. Other offerings — The Daydreamer’s Waltz, New Phase of the Moon and Velvet Western Sky/Black Eyed Susie — glide by with a gentle caress that’s as uniformly beautiful as it is beguiling.

Credit Lowell with creating a minor masterpiece. If justice prevails, This Long Stretch of Gravel will be a quick route towards wider recognition. It couldn’t be more deserved.

Lee Zimmerman, Bluegrass Today 2/2020


Lively Times review of "This Long Stretch of Gravel"
Livingston’s bluegrass icon, John Lowell, has released another gem of well-crafted songs underpinned by brilliant instrumental work. Most have never been recorded.
Our reviewer writes: "If you’re looking for superb musicianship all around, get this CD. It’s a masterpiece!"
Our reviewer writes of John Lowell’s latest: “If you’re looking for superb musicianship all around, get this CD. It’s a masterpiece!”

Lowell has a fine burry baritone and unmatched songwriting ability. There are sagas, love songs and mournful stories cloaked in beautiful balladry.

He originally conceived of a duet project, but wanted more sound so he enlisted 18 friends he’s played with over the years. Start with Lowell on guitar and lead vocals, then throw in award-winning bassist Missy Raines, who accompanies him on every cut.

Here’s the rest of the all-star cast: fiddlers Becky Buller, Jeremy Garrett (Infamous Stringdusters), Darol Anger (David Grisman Quintet) and Jason Thomas; Dobro player Andy Hall (Infamous Stringdusters); mandolinists John Reischman (John Reischman and the Jaybirds) and Joe K. Walsh; banjo players Ron Block (Alison Krauss and Union Station), Greg Cahill (Special Consensus), Chris Coole and Joe Newberry; pianist Bill Payne (Little Feat and Doobie Brothers); cellist Joy Adams; and Ben Somers, tenor sax.

Monster harmony vocalists include Claire Lynch, Chris Jones and Stephen Mougin. Several instrumentalists contribute harmony as well.

Twangs and minor fingerpickin’ from Newberry’s banjo introduce “Fergus County Jail.” Lowell’s guitar enters, emphasizing the “drop D” low note that creates atmosphere, and he plays silky runs at the end of vocal phrases. A man bemoans his fate in the slammer after he gets into a fracas and kills another.

Payne’s piano on “The Daydreamer’s Waltz” gives it a music-box feel; and “Western Velvet Sky/Black-Eyed Susie” was written for beloved friend Ben Bullington, a terrific songwriter who passed away some years back. It’s followed by “Ben Bullington Radio I.D,” with Bullington voicing the call letters for a radio station; Lowell recorded it during the songwriter’s last days.

“The Last to Know” is a loping bluegrasser with rollicking Cahill banjo, chunky Reischman mandolin, and torrents of guitar hammer-ons and pull-offs. “Bodie,” a forlorn waltz, is Lowell’s try at “creating a song that sounds old.” A man lured by the promise of gold in a California wasteland gets marooned there. Sons of the Pioneers-style harmony and bowed cello by Adams enhance the lonely feel.

If you’re looking for superb musicianship all around, get this CD. It’s a masterpiece!

Visit johnlowell.com.

– Mariss McTucker

John Lowell releases new CD- "This Long Stretch of Gravel."
Acclaimed songwriter/acoustic guitarist and singer John Lowell is releasing a new CD, “This Long Stretch of Gravel.” The disc contains 11 original songs with support from such acoustic music luminaries as Missy Raines, Becky Buller, John Reischman, Joe Newberry, Bill Payne, Ron Block, Stephen Mougin, Claire Lynch, Darol Anger, Joe K. Walsh, Chris Coole, Chris Jones, Greg Cahill, Jeremy Garrett, Andy Hall, Joy Adams, Ben Somers and Jason Thomas. The project was mixed by IBMA engineer of the year Ben Surratt.

“I’ve been thinking about this for several years,” said Lowell from his home in Livingston, Montana. “I had a stash of songs and went about creating the perfect cast of characters. It was a little overwhelming at first, but I started asking my A list to see if they wanted to get involved in this with me…and amazingly, everyone I spoke to said yes. I never even got to the B list.”

John Lowell’s songs have been recorded by several groups, most notably his song about love gone wrong in the Old West – “Sarah Hogan.” He’s played on Garrison Keillor’s radio show A Prairie Home Companion with his duo The Growling Old Men. He’s played the Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival stage for several years with his band Kane’s River, the Telluride stage with Loose Ties, and at the Vancouver Folk Festival with the John Lowell Band along with hundreds of other performances in the last 30 years in locations from Shetland to San Bernardino. His music is featured in Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations” series on CNN.

John is also in great demand as a teacher in the US, Canada, Europe and the UK, and travels abroad to all those countries often to teach at music camps and to tour. In 2019, he retains his title at Sorefingers Music Camp in Cotswald, UK as the guitar teacher who has taught more than any other.

“I’m so proud of this cd,” said John Lowell. “It’s time for me to leave these gorgeous mountains and bring this music to a wider audience. My hope is that radio programmers will remember some of my older songs and give these a spin. With all these amazing collaborators, we should be able to put some fun music together when we find ourselves on the same festival stages this year.”

Join the conversation on John’s website – www.JohnLowell.com, his Facebook page – John Lowell (Official), Twitter - @johnlowellmusic, on Instagram – John_Lowell_MT and Reverbnation - https://www.reverbnation.com/johnlowell.

For booking or media inquiries, please contact Joannegardnerlowellmt@gmail.com