I’ll be honest, when I heard that Dierks Bentley was doing a bluegrass album, I wasn’t completely sold on the idea. After all, I’m not really a bluegrass fan, unless you count the Oh Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack. However, when the title track of Up On the Ridge was released, I was pleasantly surprised…Not necessarily what I thought it would be, the album has a little something for everyone. In true Dierks form, the album sways from VERY traditional bluegrass to a more contemporary form. And, with Dierks Bentley’s unique voice, you can’t help but love the album.

A few songs stick-out to me on the album. “Down In the Mine” is exactly what the title infers…It tells a honest tale of the life of a miner. However, in wake of the recent mining disaster in West Virginia, the song takes on a sadness I didn’t anticipate.

My favorite song on the album is “Draw Me a Map” featuring Alison Krauss. The juxtaposition of Dierk’s rough and tumble voice to Alison’s smooth, angelic one is haunting. The whole idea of a lost love, and the imagery of drawing a map to get back to each other is perfect.

A complete surprise to me was “Pride (In the Name of Love)”, a EXTREMELY bluegrass version of the U2 hit. I would have never thought it possible, and if I had; I never would’ve thought it would turn out well to have a bluegrass version of anything U2…BUT, this is FANTASTIC!!! I very unexpectedly LOVED it!

Another favorite on the album is “Love Grows Wild.” This song is just happy…Pretty much embraces all of the great things about love. I felt good just listening to it.

Even all of you non-bluegrass fans will be sure to find something worth falling in love with on Dierks Bentley’s Up On the Ridge. It’s quite obvious that Dierks put a lot into this album, and it was a labor of love. Go get you a copy TODAY!!

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com