"After forty years of recording acoustic music, it's not very often
that a new band catches (and keeps) my attention. Old School Freight Train
has done that and more. Their finely crafted tunes and innovative arrangements
bring creativity, taste and wit to a broad spectrum of contemporary styles
- vocal and instrumental, all firmly rooted in many traditions. They are
certainly an emerging force to reckon with in today's wide world of acoustic
music."
- David Grisman
Old School Freight Train, from Charlottesville, VA, combines thought-provoking
lyrics with captivating melodies, soulful vocals, virtuosic instrumentals
and imaginative arrangement. Blending folk, jazz, soul, pop, bluegrass,
Latin and Celtic, OSFT offers a unique musical experience the Boston Globe
claims is "the Next Big Thing" and the Chicago Tribune claims
is "accessible but uncompromising in creativity."
Mandolin master David Grisman heard their music in the fall of 2004 and
viewed the band as "an emerging force to reckon with in today's world
of acoustic music." Grisman invited the band to record at his Dawg
Studios in Northern California and manned the production and recording.
From these sessions came Run, OSFT's dynamic second CD and their first
for Acoustic Disc, Grisman's acclaimed independent label.
Their latest effort, Live In Ashland is a culmination of their experience
through much touring and performing together. It's not in the studio,
and there are no overdubs. What you hear is what you get. The soaring
energy of the concert is undeniable.
Old School Freight Train is comprised of the distinctly smooth vocals
and songwriting talent of guitarist Jesse Harper, the ecstatic mandolin
stylings of Pete Frostic, the poetic fiddling of Nate Leath, backbone
upright bass of Darrell Muller, and solid drumming of Nick Falk. Their
synergistic interaction and contagious musical passion has made them the
new acoustic band to watch.
Highlights of the band's vigorous tour schedule have included the Newport
Folk Festival, MerleFest, Wintergrass, the Strawberry Music Fest, and
backing David Grisman as his band on several tours in 2005 and 2006.
Buy O.S.F.T.
CDs
