REVIEW: Daniel Grindstaff — Child of the King (SINGLE)
Daniel Grindstaff has long since proven himself to be one of the leading lights of contemporary bluegrass. However, his creative reach extends further than others. His collaboration with Primitive Road’s Jeff Tolbert, “Child of the King”, is from the forthcoming Heroes & Friends collection and exposes us to Grindstaff’s affinity for gospel themes. It’s a tried and true subject of bluegrass reaching back to the genre’s earliest recordings and continues to be a mainstay. North Carolina’s Tolbert has carved out a much-deserved reputation as one of the pre-eminent vocalists in modern gospel, and his chemistry with Grindstaff bears abundant fruit.
URL: https://danielgrindstaff.com/
Grindstaff’s CV hardly needs describing for those familiar. Newcomers to his music should know that the East Tennessee native is a seasoned music professional who has appeared scores of times at the Grand Old Opry and has worked with the biggest names in bluegrass and country music. His banjo playing skills supply steady and unobtrusive accompaniment for Tolbert’s testimony.
Cindy Walker’s lyrics are full of the plain-spoken poetry that forms the bedrock for many gospel bluegrass classics. Tolbert’s singing inhabits each line and the song’s numerous payoff moments with measured exaltation celebrating his faith. He never pushes too hard on the song/ His respectful treatment of the moment reaches several peaks throughout the song’s three-minute running time, but he knows when to pull back on the reins.
Grindstaff’s banjo contributions are exquisitely precise. He doesn’t overextend himself or bog the song down with extraneous contributions. It shows a side of his playing character that plays close to the vest rather than trying to impress listeners with skills his past material has already revealed. He doesn’t pick as if he has something to prove. Instead, Grindstaff’s additions to this song further buttress an exceptional lead vocal and give the cut a fuller body.
Nor does the song itself merit overextension. It is typical of the best bluegrass that the song has a message, delivers it, and ends without a hint of bloat. The natural craftsmanship Tolbert and Grindstaff exhibit with this song is a hallmark of both artists’ work and helps focus the performance for maximum effect. You don’t need to be a believer for this song to resonate. It helps, without question, but an open heart and mind will revel in hearing the plaintive gratitude in Tolbert’s singing and Grindstaff’s accompaniment.
Songs such as this never sound passe. It’s because of the skill at work, of course; these are talented musicians working at or near the peak of their powers. However, it’s more than that. It’s also because they reveal something essential about the human spirit that applies to our spiritual lives as well as the everyday. Faith in something bigger than ourselves takes many forms. Tolbert has found that respite from the world’s slings and arrows. “Child of the King” rejoices in that feeling and invites listeners to share in its joy. We can scarcely hope for more from music.
So open your mind, take a deep breath, and let Daniel Grindstaff and Jeff Tolbert testify for you.
Colin Jordan
