Rod Moag

The Pickin' Singin' Professor (Diploma Disc)

The amazing thing about Rod Moag isn't the variety and scope of the songs on The Pickin' Singin' Professor; it's how well he does them --even more impressive considering that there's nary a hint of bluegrass on the record. Bluegrass is Moag's stock and trade, and there's none of it save for the mandolin-workout instrumental "Goofus," which is more of a country swing number anyway, but that's something for his next record. It's not exactly a loss, though as Moag sings everything from rockabilly ("Party Doll," "Rave On"), Western Swing ("Rose of the Alamo"), and old-timey country ("Give Me Forty Acres") to traditional numbers ("Just a Closer Walk With Thee,"), and an absolutely moving rendition of the olde Irish ballad "Galway Bay." Moag's degree is in South Asian languages, but this record alone contains enough credits to qualify him for a Ph.D. in American music. And just wait 'til he whips out the bluegrass again.

HHHH -- Christopher Gray