Michael Cleveland - Tall Fiddler

It's obvious he was destined to become one of Bluegrass's contemporary stars. - Boston Globe Michael Cleveland is as versatile as they come, but when it comes to straight-up bluegrass, whether it's a 'bootstomper' or a high and lonesome lament, his peers are few and far between - All Music GuideHe takes no prisoners but he plays with a restraint and a soul. He plays without abandon. - Vince GillFeaturing Special Guests: Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Tommy Emmanuel, B�la Fleck, Del McCoury, Tim O'Brien, the Travelin' McCourys, and Dan Tyminski Untouchable. That's how Vince Gill describes the playing of bluegrass fiddler Michael Cleveland in the inspiring documentary about the Grammy-nominated musician's life, Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story. On his new album 'Tall Fiddler', Cleveland lives up to Gill's lofty praise, showing off the verve, dexterity and intensity that have made him one of the most transfixing performers today - of any genre. It's that crossover appeal that distinguishes 'Tall Fiddler', a record that blends string-music with country, jam-grass with folk, and is geared to introduce Cleveland - who, as he talks about in the Flamekeeper film, overcame partial deafness and being born blind - to a wider audience. Yes, bluegrass may be the Indiana native's first love, but on this album, Cleveland rocks.