Noam Pikelny presents Beat The Devil and Carry A Rail on Compass Records.
The long awaited second album from Punch Brothers’ banjoist and winner of the 2010 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass. Album features: Jerry Douglas, Aoife O’Donovan, Tim O’Brien, Steve Martin, Bryan Sutton and Chris Thile. Free Download of “Jim Thompson’s Horse” Available on NoamPikelny.com
Noam Pikelny is releasing his long awaited second album Beat The Devil and Carry A Rail on Tuesday, October 25th, 2011 on Compass Records. Pikelny is undeniably the next big thing to happen to the 5-string banjo, a player of unparalleled technique, he confounds and inspires listeners with his mastery of the instrument. As a member of Punch Brothers, he has helped to broaden the awareness of the banjo in the mainstream, earning the first annual Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music and a coveted appearance on Late Night with David Letterman with Martin. Noam is currently offering a free download of the first track from the album, “Jim Thompson’s Horse,” at his website here: http://www.noampikelny.com.
On his long-awaited sophomore recording, Noam delivers a set that is as dazzling for its virtuosity as it is engaging for its melodic sensibilities. In addition to an all star cast of instrumentalists including Bryan Sutton (guitar), Chris Thile (mandolin), Tim O’Brien (mandolin, fiddle) and Jerry Douglas (dobro), he also shares the spotlight with guest vocalists Aoife O’Donovan (Crooked Still) on a delightful rendering of Tom Waits’ “Fish and Bird” and Tim O’Brien on a re-working of the Henry Thomas classic “Bob Mckinney.” Other standout tracks include a banjo duet with Steve Martin on the old-time standard “Cluck Old Hen” and a mind-boggling, instrumental powerhouse trio featuring Chris Thile and Bryan Sutton on the original “Bear Dog Grit.” Rounding out the band is fiddler Stuart Duncan, Punch Brothers guitarist Chris Eldridge, and bassist Mark Schatz. The release marks Punch Brothers fiddler Gabe Witcher’s debut as producer.
Noam will be on tour promoting the album this December. Tour dates (which will include stops in New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Boston) and special guests to be announced shortly.