JAM Reviews Dierks Bentley - Up On The Ridge

Dierks Bentley – Up On The Ridge

Review by JAM

From the man who brought you Long Trip Alone and What Was I Thinkin’ comes an all-acoustic album by this country trendsetter, and he got a lot of friends to come along for the ride. Filled with bluegrass players of amazing pedigree and a who’s who of amazing artists including Miranda Lambert, Alison Krauss, Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson, and more, Dierks has made an album for the fans, for the country music establishment, but most of all for himself. This album is a showcase of talent, attitude, and love for country music, and bluegrass more specifically, that oozes greatness through the speakers to your ears so give a listen and find out what Dierks has for you Up On The Ridge.

From Bob Dylan’s Senor (Tales of Yankee Power) to Bad Angel (with Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson) to the cover of U2’s Pride (In The Name Of Love), the star power in vocals and songwriting is amazing and all maneuvered into a bluegrass style that pays homage to the song while claiming it as its own. Also collaborating with Kris Kristofferson on Kris’s song Bottle to the Bottom, Dierks seems to draw in this amazing star power yet never lose sight or control over his own album. Even with the names joining him, this is first and foremost a Dierks Bentley album full of his personal taste and touch and any fan of Dierks, and of country music in general, is going to love this album

Track List

1. Down In The Mine

2. Up On The Ridge

3. Fallin’ For You

4. Senor (Tales Of Yankee Power)

5. Rovin’ Gambler

6. Draw Me A Map

7. Bad Angel

8. Fiddlin’ Around

9. You’re Dead To Me

10. Pride (In The Name Of Love)

11. Love Grows Wild

12. Bottle To The Bottom

JAMS Ink on Up On The Ridge

Up On The Ridge is a lot of fun, kind of like Dierks’ CDs always seem to be for me. The title song is a fun tune with haunting backup vocals and a strong instrumental melody. It is one of my favorite songs on the album, but my absolute favorite has got to be Pride (In The Name Of Love) which is kind of odd for me because I never thought I would like a cover of the song. The song itself has been a favorite of mine for forever, and the bluegrass styling actually seem to add to my enjoyment of one of the greatest “message” songs of our generation. From the vocals to the instrumental portions to even the Oooing, Dierks seems to find the perfect mess up to make U2 proud with this cover.

Senor is also an amazing testament to Dierks’ ability and talent as the song makes an awesome transition to bluegrass without losing any strength from the original. Rovin’ Gambler is a lot of fun too, reminding me of the Gambler movies with Kenny Rogers from long ago. It is just a fun story about a gambler, his travels, and his troubles with a really fast and enjoyable beat.

Dierks has hit another homerun with Up On The Ridge as he grabs the listener and pulls them in with amazing bluegrass riffs and vocals. This CD is one I would recommend to anyone. That’s right, anyone. I think it just is a fun enjoyable album for anyone who loves good music and JAM says grab a copy. Dierks’ album releases June 8, 2010 so go check it out.

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