Grammy Award-winning banjoists Steve Martin and Alison Brown recently released a new music video in support of their chart-topping single, "New Cluck Old Hen."
The video was filmed at Brooklyn's niche folk club, Jalopy, and features the all-female powerhouse bluegrass quartet Della Mae on a reworking of the traditional Appalachian folk song "Cluck Old Hen." The track is featured on Brown and Martin's debut collaborative album, Safe, Sensible and Sane, out now via Compass Records.
In Martin's clever reinvention of the song's original lyrics, the protagonist leaves his wife only to be one-upped by her in the end. Celia Woodsmith's emotive vocals provide the perfect foil to Martin's lead. Together with bandmates Kimber Ludiker (fiddle, vocals), Avril Smith (guitar, vocals) and Vickie Vaughn (bass, vocals) and with the addition of 3-finger-style banjo, the energy and attitude provides a perfect capper to Women's History Month.
Martin explains, "I always loved the classic American mountain tune "Cluck Old Hen." Its only problem was it was about chickens. So one day I decided to see if I could give it a new lyric spin. Alison agreed and arranged it with 'power/bluegrass/fusion.' Whatever that is."
Brown adds, "Once I read Steve's lyrics I knew Della Mae would be perfect for the song. And they totally laid down the law, bringing the perfect combination of bluegrass drive and femme attitude to the track."
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com