He's the real deal."
"Listening to his music is uplifting."
"I am so hard to impress and I can't get over how good that was."
"I couldn't believe it was just one guitarist."
"Totally amazing. He looked so comfortable doing all that."
"I am sooooo relaxed, I can't believe it."
There's nothing wrong with old-school, but the real fun comes with those who push envelopes. As with blues, jazz, even country and rock 'n' roll, those who bring something new to the party help propel genres to higher levels.
Such is the case with Lincoln Crockett, a young lion on the Portland bluegrass scene. A regular in Cross-Eyed Rosie, the Josh Cole Band and Caravan Gogh, Crockett has released a new solo project that radiates all that's good about the progressive side of bluegrass. A sterling mandolin picker, guitarist and compelling singer, he has produced a 12-song piece of work that might have traditionalists scratching their heads, but new-grassers will gravitate to it like moths to a porch light.
It will be hard to avoid comparisons to Nickel Creek's Chris Thile, but that might be more happenstance than anything stylistically plagiaristic. Crockett owns the requisite high-and-lonesome voice -- plaintive, achingly bittersweet and clear as creekwater, without a hint of vibrato -- and he's not afraid to use it. Like Thile, he's fearless and playful, but can clearly stand on his own.
He is also a fiery player who slashes his custom twin-point mandolin when called for, but who displays a feather-light touch on the tender tunes. Crockett has a predilection for more complex chording, and he lets that predilection shine throughout this largely original effort.
Though his playing can be a shade on the outside (in a good way), he doesn't stray far enough from his bluegrass roots to do damage to the form. This is bluegrass, but squeezed through the soul of a youngster. You'll hear all his influences -- folk, rock, pop, funk -- but he's found a way to gather them up under the bluegrass mantle and produce something as pleasant as a long summer day.
Lincoln Crockett first got attention on local stages in neo-grass favorites Cross-eyed Rosie, then began honing his solo chops. These days he also contributes mandolin to the Josh Cole Band and the quirky, charming Caravan Gogh. But tonight, Crockett releases his first solo full-length, Angels&Devils Alike, perhaps the project closest to his heart. Case in point: Crockett’s delicate picking and angelic voice define gorgeous new songs like “Maybe Souls” and “Nothing Makes Me Feel Good.”
It takes a fair amount of charm, chops and chutzpa to hold our attention with a minimal musical palette, but mandolin wrangler Lincoln Crockett, from local bluegrass outfit Cross-eyed Rosie, manages to do so on his album Angels & Devils Alike (www.lincolncrockett.com). Armed with just a mandolin, an acoustic guitar and a supple voice, Crockett conducts us on a folksy tour of his mood swings, from glum (“Nothing Makes Me Feel Good”) to glad (“Feels So Good”), and for the most part it’s a bump-free and tuneful trip.
The best album ever made by anyone I know."
"This is the soundtrack to this time in our lives."
"Truly beautiful."
"We listen to it several times a day! Can't get enough of it!"
"It went into our 5-disk changer and it's the only disk that hasn't come back out!"
"It hasn't left my car!"
"You were the soundtrack to our Thanksgiving. We listened to it non-stop and learned every word."
"It's so rich! Every listen I get more and more out of it."
"I just keep thinking, 'that one's about me, and that one's about me, and that one...' Are they all about me?!"
"We can't get enough of 'Nothing Makes Me Feel Good'. Strangely, every time I listen to it I feel better."
"I listened to 'Open Wide' on the way to work 7 times in a row!"
Lincoln Crockett has in a few years done what all musicians desperately spend their lives trying to accomplish... that is creating a style and sound all there own. With his spine tingling vocals and blow your mind mandolin/guitar playing , Lincoln can create magic. Lincoln not only has created a distinct sound, but his music is so unique and wonderful, he may start a whole new genre. Some folks compare Lincoln to Chris Thile... but Lincoln is a far better singer and songwriter. Lincoln's music and performance can be better compared to, not a person, but an ocean... fluid, huge, awesome, beautiful, inspiring, and breathtaking."
Lincoln Crockett, is an inciteful, honest writer who wears his heart on his musical sleeve. He's is not the overly-sensitive or painfully self-confessional sort, but rather a tuneful poet who can convey a heartfelt message with wit, integrity and a wink and a winning smile. He's also good picker and fine fellow.
Lincoln is one of the most authentic and talented players I know. his songs are from the heart, thoughtful, poetic, and captivating. When he plays the room falls silent. His poetry is more than matched by his playing ability on the guitar or mandolin, or what instrument he chooses to play. He is a true storyteller of our time, a contemporary soul with roots in the ground. He takes us where we want to go. It is a great priviledge to have an opportunity to share a stage with the likes of Lincoln Crockett."
I mean, I loved the cd but I had no idea he'd be so spot on live. Any time he wants me in his band I'm there."
I’m about as bitter & jaded as possible when it comes to listening to new music. I’ve managed a large music venue in Detroit & played in several bands & tonight you guys were fantastic. You have a true knack for storytelling. That was a truly awesome show. The best new music we’ve had in here in a long time."
Anyone who can sit with just a mandolin and make it believable is amazing. Anyone who can really hold our attention for more than ten seconds is truly amazing. We're really excited about Lincoln's music, it's got everything."
I reviewed dozens of albums this weekend, and I have to say, of everything I listened to, Lincoln Crockett’s material was head and shoulders above the rest. His songwriting, his presentation, his indefinable presence, stood out in stark relief to all the others."
Fantastic, I was mezmerised"
"I could listen to that voice all day"
"You are truly talented"
"You blew us away!"
"There's soul behind that music!"
"Writing and composition are exceptional!"
"You give me hope for the future"
"He's all ready to go places"
It softly carried me to safe places within its sound, reminding me of the comfort that a voice can carry to ones heart."
Lincoln Crockett has a voice like wind in the hills. There's honesty, vulnerability, and an edge of loss in these modern bluegrass-tinged tunes. Excellent mandolin and guitar playing only highlight the spiritual edge of his singing."
Local "powergrass" outfit Cross-eyed Rosie's mandolin-man, Lincoln Crockett, steps into the spotlight with a new collection of solo recordings, leaving behind his folk compatriots' high-energy bluegrass compositions for quieter, introspective string pluckers about love, dogs and peace. Crockett's lazy-day vocal charm and simple guitar melodies remind one a bit of John Mayer--if Mayer spent time on a kibbutz with Devendra Banhart. Which, come to think of it, ain't that bad of an idea."
That was awesome”
“Transcendent experience”
“Your songs are moving”
“Your songwriting and mandolin playing is amazing”
“Your voice is like a lazer, its incredible”
“Your music was healing - I felt like every song was sung right to me about what I’m going through”
"My hair is still standing on end!"