There’s a saying most of you are familiar with, “like catching lightning in a bottle.” Â In the music business it’s not unusual to hear that applied to the idea of catching a band’s live performance energy & style in the studio. Â Hence the reason most jam bands, and many others frankly, never have much of a hit recording, yet fill large venues. Â I’m here to tell you that Billy Strings, in his debut album, has done just that. Â The intensity, passion, and jaw-dropping picking skills that you get from Strings live are very present on Turmoil & Tinfoil. Â Strings enlisted the help of Glenn Brown (Greensky Bluegrass) as producer and they captured the live magic across a broad range of songs.
 I probably have to start with Meet Me At the Creek.  This is rock and roll attitude bluegrass with solos that lean closer to Drive-By Truckers than Del McCoury.  Doin’ Things Right amps that up by pretty much doubling the tempo.  Salty Sheep is an instrumental duet with Bryan Sutton that’s a 21st century Little Martha.  Living Like An Animal is a hillbilly stomp resplendent with harmonica and Ozark harp.
Strings plays broadly across styles on the album. Â In addition to the standard bluegrass material, While I’m Waiting brought back reminisces of Gentle On My Mind with some of its chord changes and rhythmic elements. Â These Memories Of You is an old-timey number written by Billy’s dad, Terry Barber. Â Spinning is a spoken word piece that’s a throwback to the psychedelic era. Â And then there’s Dealing Despair. Â You’re humming along, tapping your foot to a classic bluegrass tune and suddenly the lyrics leap out at you. Â “You know I don’t want your opinion, I just want to blow your brains out.” Â Punk!
 Strings has been a fixture on the festival circuit for a few years, often playing guest spots with the headliner.  It’s even more amazing given that he’s barely in his mid-20’s.  That this is his debut full length album is surprising, but he definitely did it right.  For once I can say that if you want the real essence of a great live performer you can go buy his record, Turmoil & Tinfoil.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.