Balsam Range Delivers a Haunting Maritime Saga with “The Pacific”
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Bluegrass music has long been the keeper of tales, often of struggle, hardship, and, yes, disaster. From train wrecks to mining tragedies, these somber narratives are woven into the very fabric of the genre. Few bands understand this legacy better, or execute it with more finesse, than Balsam Range. Their latest single for Mountain Home Music Company, “The Pacific,” is a testament to this enduring tradition, offering a dark and compelling maritime ballad that immediately stakes its claim among the genre’s most poignant story-songs.
“It’s kind of a Bluegrass version of the ‘Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,’” explains Balsam Range’s bassist and dobro player, Tim Surrett, drawing an apt comparison to Gordon Lightfoot’s legendary shipwreck epic. And indeed, the parallel is striking. Penned by Daniel Salyer, “The Pacific” wastes no time in establishing its foreboding atmosphere, pulling listeners into the fateful journey with its opening lines:
Me and Frankie Taylor, two young’un’s full of dreams ‘Pacific’ steamer headed south on the path of the New Orleans Eighteen years behind us with a lifetime still ahead On a bad stretch of the river, gettin’ good at cheatin’ death
Surrett’s enthusiasm for the track is palpable: “This song has everything I like: A great story, great melody and chord progressions, and a great delivery by Caleb and Don.” He’s not wrong. Caleb Smith (guitar) and Don Rigsby (fiddle) deliver a truly haunting vocal duet, their voices intertwining to unravel the tragic narrative with a gripping sincerity. Their performances are punctuated by expertly crafted solos from each, as well as from mandolinist Alan Bibey and Surrett’s own dobro, each instrument adding layers to the unfolding drama without ever overshadowing the story.
What truly sets “The Pacific” apart is its commitment to the archaic ballad form, a structural choice that serves the narrative perfectly. Eschewing the more conventional verse-chorus structure, the song churns along like the very river it describes, building an inescapable sense of dread until its chilling conclusion:
Some never see tomorrow, some make it back to dock Ain’t nothing left but a sunken hull on a point called Highland Rock Sleeping beneath the water, but she don’t sleep alone The ‘Pacific’’s in the boneyard, and the river rages on
This powerful imagery ensures the song lingers long after its final notes fade. Surrett aptly summarizes the band’s collective connection to the song, noting, “This was a song that just seemed to musically fit everybody in the band all at once. Caleb especially has a real gift for a delivery on a song like this. The depth of the story was really appealing, too — you could almost make a movie out of it!”
Balsam Range’s consistent ability to select and deliver such compelling material is no accident. Since their formation in 2007, the 2018 International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year has consistently proven themselves to be one of the genre’s most decorated and respected acts. With 13 IBMA awards and 13 critically acclaimed albums under their belt, they’ve captivated audiences at major festivals, sold out venues nationwide, and made multiple appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. Their collaborations, such as the two albums recorded with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra Ensemble, showcase their versatility, with Mountain Overture charting on both the Billboard Bluegrass and Classical Crossover charts.
Their discography is a testament to their enduring success, with albums like Mountain Voodoo (which spent 45 weeks on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart and spawned three #1 singles on the Bluegrass Today Chart, including “Blue Collar Dreams”) and Aeonic (a #1 Billboard Bluegrass Chart debut that spent 46 weeks on the chart, featuring hits like “The Girl Who Invented The Wheel” and “Get Me Gone”) solidifying their place in bluegrass history. More recently, their 2021 album, Moxie and Mettle, produced a string of #1 radio hits with “Richest Man,” “Grit and Grace,” “Rivers, Rains and Runaway Trains,” “Santa Barbara,” and “Highway Side.” Their 2023 release, Kinetic Tone, continued this trend of chart-topping success with “That’s What The Years Do” reaching #1, “Snake Charmer” hitting #3, and “We’ll All Drink Money” climbing to the #2 spot.
“The Pacific” is more than just another single from Balsam Range; it’s a masterclass in bluegrass storytelling. It’s a reminder of the genre’s power to evoke deep emotion and transport listeners to another time and place, making it an essential listen for any fan of traditional or contemporary bluegrass.