Country music star Dierks Bentley's latest studio album "Up on the Ridge," was released on June 8, 2010, via his record label, Capitol Records Nashville. Although this is the fifth studio album of his career, it marks his first project in bluegrass music. As of November 21, 2010, Bentley's "Up on the Ridge" sits at the top of the Billboard Bluegrass Album Charts.
"Up on the Ridge" Gains Recognition at the 2010 CMA Awards
Thanks to the success of this album, Dierks Bentley garnered three nominations at the 2010 Country Music Association (CMA) awards for "Vocal Event of the Year," in which he collaborates with Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson on "Bad Angel," as well as "Album of the Year" for "Up on the Ridge"; lastly, he managed to score his first-ever nomination in the prestigious "Male Vocalist of the Year" category joining an elite group of male country artists: George Strait, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton.
"Up on the Ridge" Features Collaborations with Veteran Country and Bluegrass Musicians
Particularly impressive about this bluegrass record is that Bentley served as songwriter, where he co-wrote five tunes from this twelve-track record including the title track "Up on the Ridge," "Rovin' Gambler," "Draw Me a Map," "You're Dead to Me" and "Down in the Mine"; moreover, Bentley has enlisted an all-star cast of veteran country and bluegrass stars to assist him with harmony vocals, songwriting and duet vocals.
These musicians include Del McCoury, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, reigning CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert, legendary songwriter Kris Kristofferson as well as International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Female Vocalist of the Year nominees: Sonya Isaacs and Alison Krauss.
Singles Released from "Up on the Ridge"
Bentley's up-tempo title track tune was the first single released in April of 2010, as well as the opening track of the record. It went on to peak at #21 on the Billboard Country Charts. Although this may have been the lowest-charting song in Dierks Bentley's career, it is still an accomplishment, since many bluegrass tunes from veteran bluegrass artists fail to chart in the Billboard Country Charts due to their lack of appeal to the modern country music listener; as a result, country radio stations are less eager to play such tunes.
Bentley and his band performed "Up on the Ridge" at the 2010 CMA Awards, in a performance that featured Bentley on acoustic guitar, and his band-members on banjo, fiddle and guitars. This live performance was well-received by his country music fans and peers, garnering applause from fellow "Male Vocalist of the Year" nominees Blake Shelton and Keith Urban.
"Draw Me a Map" was the second single released from "Up on the Ridge." Although it has failed to garner substantial radio airplay, it is a stunning vocal collaboration, where Bentley is backed by the angelic vocals of twenty-six time Grammy winner Alison Krauss.
Noteworthy Songs on "Up on the Ridge"
In addition to "Up on the Ridge" and "Draw Me a Map," many other tunes are equally remarkable and worthy of more than just a passing glance. These include "Señor (Tales of Yankee Power)" in which he channels a Bob Dylan-penned tune; in many instances "Señor" is reminiscent to Dolly Parton's classic "Jolene."
One of the highlights of the album is the up-tempo "Rovin' Gambler," which would make a solid choice for a future radio single for Bentley. Former "CMA Entertainer of the Year" Vince Gill's harmony vocals are present in "Fiddlin' Around," which take the song to a new level.
One of the few ballads on this record is the beautiful "Love Grows Wild," written by veteran songwriters Julie Miller and Buddy Miller, in which Bentley never sounded better. "Love Grows Wild" is a perfect addendum for any couple's wedding setlist.
Kris Kristofferson makes a cameo and duets with Bentley in his self-penned up-tempo tune "Bottle to the Bottom."
The closing track is the slow-moving and calm "Down in the Mine," which is rich in fiddle and mandolin instrumentation, and features the mellifluous vocals of bluegrass songstress Sonya Isaacs which perfectly compliment Bentley's baritone voice.
The Verdict
From start to finish "Up on the Ridge" is an eclectic album. Fans who are looking to find modern country music similar to Dierks Bentley's previous albums will be disappointed with this project; however, if they are open and willing to hear a different side of Dierks Bentley in which he showcases his prowess as a bluegrass musician, they will be pleased with the hard work he has put into this album, as well as his versatility and growth as an artist.
Fans of country music and bluegrass are bound to see that with this project, Dierks Bentley's nominations for the CMAs "Male Vocalist of the Year" and "Album of the Year" for "Up on the Ridge," were indeed merited.
Markos Papadatos - Markos Papadatos holds over six years journalism experience, authoring over 700 articles, many of which are feature profile interviews.
Join the Conversation