Get ready for the sizzle of sweet country blues to take you away. Matt Lund, a professional songwriter, teacher and multi-instrumentalist, is now the lead virtuoso of The Waggerers. This ambitious side-project is an authentic mixture of the assorted bones that make country music popular. Lund used his well-rounded sense of musicianship to recreate a little of Nashville’s trademark twang. He faithfully captured the energy of the various sub-genres co-existing under the wide umbrella of country music.
Matt Lund is more than a musician; he’s also an experienced music educator. Lund currently teaches jazz guitar and directs the Commercial Music Ensemble at MTSU, aside from the great work he does at Sky Studios in Brentwood. After moving to Tennessee and jamming with other players, he developed an appreciation for different country styles. Upon listening to the intricate embellishments of the opening track on the Matt Lund and The Waggerers album, “Pickin’ and Grits,” you’ll hear it all.
Lund is a very capable musician who took the time to learn new instruments specifically for this project, but he isn’t the only musician featured on the album. He’s joined by fellow professionals such as Tyler Enslow from The Cosmic Collective and an impressive gang of guitar players including Josh McKee, Tyler Reese, Matt Berry and Schuylar Shoates. Proficient fiddle players are somewhat rare, but luckily, Bethany Olds fit the job description and jumped onboard. Last but not least, drummer Duane Norman (Crystal Gayle) held down the rhythm. Together, all of these seasoned musicians deserve praise for helping Lund create the sound of The Waggerers.
The record features a modest collection of songs, primarily instrumental, though a few songs, such as “I Like Country Now,” feature vocals. The instrumental tracks are surely enjoyable; however, I found that the tracks with vocals don’t live up to that level of quality. We get a wide variety of country flavors but without the vocal heart and soul that would nudge it toward perfection.
The tracks are mixed surprisingly well. Every track is a near-crystal mix. The guitar picking is articulate. Slide guitar swoops and flutters over a bed of gritty blues. It’s an exceptional Southern pleasure.
Matt Lund and The Waggerers is just one stop on Lund’s musical journey, which has encompassed performing, composing and teaching a wide variety of styles, inspired by a long list of fretboard aficionados from Joe Bonamassa to Ricky Skaggs and Brent Mason. Dive deep into his music and you’ll hear inspiration seeping between every note.
For more about Matt Lund, visit mattlundmusic.com. His album, Matt Lund and The Waggerers, is available to stream everywhere.
