7/27/2019 Abrams Brothers

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It wasnt until the late 1950s that the term bluegrass was made an official designationfor a style of music. The term comes from the name of Bill Monroes band, The BlueGrass Boys, formed in 1939. Its quite a thing to have a whole genre of music namedafter your band and Bill Monroe described bluegrass as Scottish bagpipes and old timefiddlin. Its Methodist and Holiness and Baptist. Its blues and jazz, and it has a high

lonesome sound. If that sounds like a unique and exciting combination to you, youreright. Its exactly what was on tap for the audience at this Sundays Ogallala RegionalArts Councils 2013-14 seasons first offering, The Abrams Brothers.

John and James Abrams hail from Canada and their credentials as bluegrassmusicians spans four generations in their family, having first taken the stage as part ofthe family band before they were teenagers. Although performing as a two-piece groupfor this tour, the instrumental skill, tight harmonies, and exceptional stage presence thatcan only be forged by years of performance experience, put out a sound that would bedifficult to match for most larger bands.

While traditional bluegrass songs were performed throughout the evening, a large partof the concert featured Abrams Brothers originals. These compositions would be callednewgrass by bluegrass enthusiasts as they feature non-traditional chord progressionsand sounds. True to the bluegrass tradition, however, the songs drew on themes suchas love lost, opportunities not taken, and a love of the home, all part of that highlonesome sound described by Monroe. The Abrams originals Northern Redemptionand Tin Manexemplify the newgrass movement.

Traditional bluegrass songs such as Ralph Stanleys Clinch Mountain BackstepandMan of Constant Sorrowwere performed in a way that would do a traditionalist proud.The blues and jazz influences described by Monroe were also on display, the pair taking

on instrumental tunes with a gypsy jazz feel. A blues influenced rendition of Two LIttleFishes, a song that had the audience fully engaged.

The night ended with a sing-along encore of a song first made popular by the Carterfamily recording of 1927, Can the Circle Be Unbroken. Young performers with the skilland presence of the Abrams Brothers ensures that the answer to the question in thesongs title is a firm yes.

There are four more performances scheduled in the Ogallala Regional Arts Councils2013-14 season. Memberships are available for as little as $25.00 and, withperformances as exceptional as the Abrams Brothers, it represents a great value for the

money. Contact Nancy Hollman at (308)-284-9804 to join ORAC and support greatperforming arts in our community.