Kitchen Help

A good debut album from Bay Area-based bluegrass outfit, Kitchen Help. There’s nothing alt or new-grass about this record; it’s very traditional. Leader Jennifer Kitchen plays bass and sings lead on not quite half the tracks. She’s got a pleasing alto vox with a bit of twang; don’t expect the dazzle & sparkle of an Alison Kraus. Other lead and harmony vocals are provided by her male band mates who play guitar, dobro, banjo & mandolin (no violin). Mostly lost-love, “I’m-leaving-you,” or “you-left-me themes” set to up-tempo, fun music.

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1 Mid-fast. Female lead. Her man left, got married. Banjo, dobro, mandolin solos. (3:03)
2 ** Fast. Good male lead & harmony. Driven by banjo. Mandolin & dobro solos. (3:22)
3 Mid-tempo folkish ballad. Male/female duet. Good guitar & dobro solos. (3:05)
4 Mid-slow. Sad “TN Waltz” sorta thing. Fine F vox, bit of Patsy Cline sadness. (4:01)
5 ** Fast & fun. Great male harmony, set to a banjo breakdown. Exceptional. (3:15)
6 Fast. Classic “high & lonesome” male lead. Solos all round. OK, doesn’t stand out. (3:08)
7 Slow, sweet song. Female lead. Mandolin and dobro solos. (3:28)
8 Fast. Male harmony. Outstanding banjo. Silly lyric worthy of Grand Ole Opry. (2:55)
9 Mid-fast. Strong female lead. More like old-time country than bluegrass, I think. (2:43)
10 Slow, sad country ballad. Male/female duet. A bit like a Buck Owens song. (2:54)
11 ** Mid-fast. Good male lead vocal. Upbeat, hopeful lyric. (3:07)
12 ** Slow, pretty love song. Good female lead. Gentle, graceful accompaniment. (2:59)
13 Mid-tempo. Male harmony. (3:12)
14 Mid-fast. Male lead. Classic harmonies. Touching lyric about lost love. (2:31)
15 ** Mid-fast, happy sounding song. Female lead. Solos by all instruments. (3:02)