CMT Blog: Archive

Since "Lick Mountain Ramble" was featured on NPR Music's Song of the Day, I wanted to talk about guitarist Jack Rose. On first listen, his music just seemed genuinely happy -- not like every song was about rainbows, but like he was truly happy to be playing it -- and that made me want to learn more. Sadly, I found that Rose passed away suddenly in December at age 38, just as his career was gaining momentum. His progressive outlook on old-time American music will hopefully endure, though. "A lot of people, when they view old-time music, they view it as gentle or nostalgic, which I don't get at all," Rose said. "It was totally bizarre-sounding to me, and messed-up." He meant that in a good way, and set about exploring the history of country, blues and ragtime, and where they could be taken next.

"Lick Mountain Ramble," from his just-released album, Luck in the Valley, shows one of the interesting paths he found. Featuring the Black Twig Pickers as a backing band, Rose's guitar work is as bright and spacious as the infectious melody. I think he's using some kind of open tuning, which only makes it more memorable. Revolving around and looping back on itself, the song ends up like a comforting memory and an exciting prospect for the future at the same time. And I love the idea that everything old can become new again.