Jeff & Vida - Selma Chalk (Rosebank Records) This is a self-penned delight for anyone with one foot, or one arm (or even just a ‘temperature taking’ elbow) in the country genre known as bluegrass, and it’s as close as I have ever been to it myself. So, my own elbow got an unexpected soaking, and is all the better for it. But this album, although rooted in bluegrass, quite often jumps the boundaries, and the opening track ‘Heartache Train’ is as much an alt country song as it is bluegrass. If you didn’t notice the writing credits you could well think that these songs are originals from a time when songs weren’t written down, just played, and on this album they are carried along with a husky voiced demeanour and a rampant ensemble, the current Jeff and Vida Band. Fast tempo or gentle balladry, it is all played out with great skill and a joyous texture of instruments. I know pure bluegrass is not my cup of tea, but Selma Chalk gave me moments of pure alt country delight (particularly the outstanding ‘Letter To My Love’ as well as ‘Heartache Train’) besides broadening my musical palate. So, why not try the elbow test yourself? You may well be delighted too. www.myspace.com/jeffandvida Kev A. Jeff & Vida – Dead and Gone Next