Woody Platt - Far Away With You (2024) [Hi-Res]

One of the most charismatic frontmen in modern bluegrass, Woody Platt has played an important part in shaping the trajectory of bluegrass music over the past 20 years. As a founding member and lead singer for The Steep Canyon Rangers, Platt spent years touring tirelessly, many of them in collaboration with actor/comedian and banjoist Steve Martin, earning a GRAMMY award, multiple GRAMMY nominations, and international recognition in the process. But when the pandemic struck, the time at home caused Platt to rethink his personal priorities. He decided to put his touring life on hold and left the Rangers to spend more time with his young family.

Fortunately for bluegrass fans, the end of Platt’s tenure with The Rangers has marked a new chapter in his musical life, one that he is celebrating with the release of his first solo album, Far Away With You. The album cements Platt’s place at the cutting edge where traditional and contemporary bluegrass meet, and his smooth baritone vocals, coupled with his ear for lyrics with contemporary themes create a sonic palette that honors his bluegrass roots even as he cultivates new growth.

Stand out tracks include “Toe The Line,” written by Barrett Davis and Josh Carter and powered by Bennett Sullivan (banjo), Casey Driessen (fiddle), Barry Bales (bass), and Daren Shumaker (mandolin), gives Platt the opportunity to sing with another bluegrass idol, Tim O’Brien, one of modern bluegrass music’s leading lights. Platt then gives the Kings of Leon’s song “Beautiful War” an acoustic treatment with the addition of the multi-talented Darrell Scott providing tenor harmony and Weissenborn guitar. And he saves one of the grassiest moments on the album to share with long-time bluegrass pals Jerry Douglas (dobro), Rob McCoury (banjo), Jason Carter (fiddle), and Buddy Melton (vocals), plus Shumaker (mandolin) and Bales (bass) on the Jesse Langlais-penned track “Long Time Coming.”

With the release of his debut album Far Away With You, Woody Platt establishes himself as one of the leading men of contemporary bluegrass. Reflecting on his musical career to date and what lies around the bend, Platt says: “I’m so proud of what we accomplished while I was with SCR, and I’m excited each and every day about what the future will bring.”