Album Review – The Wooks – “Flyin’ High”
What the hell is a Wook? A furry bipedal woodland creature? A new version of cryptocurrency? Some sort of weird sexual maneuver involving flatulence? A specialty tool used to remove the hubcaps off of 70’s muscle cars? A knitted head covering employed by the Inuit in Winter? Nope, it’s none of these. We’re not exactly sure what a Wook is, except that when you gather all of The Wooks together, they make a pleasant sound. That’s one of the reasons they’ve been one of the favorite bands of Tyler Childers over the years.
If you love bluegrass music but wish sometimes it came with a little more dirt rubbed in and could leave all the surgical precision behind, if you love a good busking string band but can’t stand all of the “aw shucks” Vaudevillian put-ons that commonly come with a caravan of college graduates with banjos and suspenders, and if you love country music with bluegrass instrumentation—or vice versa—then The Wooks will nestle right into that little crevice in your heart that is just left wanting by some other acoustic outfits.
One of the great things about The Wooks is you could pick them up and drop them smack dab in the middle of a bluegrass festival, or a punk club in Brooklyn, or a honky tonk in Texas, or a hipster bar in Berkeley, and they would immediately become the favorite band of whomever was in earshot, whether those ears are predisposed to liking bluegrass or not.
Trying to capture that raw and wide appeal the band brings to their live shows is how they approached their latest album Flyin’ High, cutting it in live takes over only two days, solos included, so that energy stuck right to the recordings, and comes bounding out of your speakers in ten new original songs and a couple of smart covers.
The original Wook is guitarist CJ Cain from Lexington, Kentucky, and he’s joined in this installment by Nashville-based artists Harry Clark on mandolin, George Guthrie on banjo, and Allen Cooke on Dobro. Once you’re a Wook, you’re a full member of the tribe, and all but Allen Cooke contribute original songs to the album, and sing on it as well.
It’s the combination of top notch bluegrass instrumentation that still has soul to it, and songwriting that is more akin to top notch country or Americana that makes The Wooks so unique. “Tennessee Girl” written by Harry Clark sounds like something Tyler Childers would have cut earlier in his career. “Butler Hayes” by CJ Cain with Eric Cummins and Ray Smith sounds like a bluegrass classic, saying so much, and in such plainspoken language.
Like all great bluegrass, there is a euphoric energy captured in the music of The Wooks. But there is also the pith of great country songs. They also include a sick cover of John Prine’s “Iron Ore Betty,” and the album starts off with a song called “What The Rock Don’t Know” by Arkansas songwriter Willi Carlisle. Also at times in the album, they get just enough cosmic on the tail end of songs to keep it all interesting.
And most important to note about The Wooks is what a brotherhood the group has always enjoyed, no matter who is manning the instruments. It’s that mud bond and chemistry that makes them not just another bluegrass band. You want to adopt these guys, take them in—if you weren’t afraid they would eat all of your food and run you out of toilet paper. After all, we all know that a Wook can’t be tamed.
1 3/4 Wooks Up (8.5/10)
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Purchase from The Wooks
February 25, 2022 @ 9:41 am
Exactly why I visit this website. Thanks!
February 25, 2022 @ 9:52 am
Stoked to finally listen to this one.
On a related note, search Willi Carlisle’s Western AF video for “What The Rock Dont Know.” It’s just him, a harmonica, and some spoons. Fantastic stuff.
February 25, 2022 @ 9:58 am
Been following Willi for years, and I believe he’s finally releasing a big album on Free Dirt later this year.
February 25, 2022 @ 10:01 am
Yessirrr! I contributed to his IndieGoGo for it.
February 25, 2022 @ 11:20 am
I’m getting this one for sure
February 25, 2022 @ 11:25 am
For those curious…. a wook is a hybrid of a train hopper kid and a hippy. You know those funny smelling dreadhead kids who wear tiedie and ask you for a cigarette or a pull off your bottle of whiskey, the ones who follow Leftover Salmon and Phish and might show up with a helmet with horns on it? That’s a wook.
February 25, 2022 @ 11:30 am
Forgot to mention that I’ve booked the Wooks many times at bluegrass festivals and concerts and I highly suggest (I’m looking at you promoters) that you do the same. These cats are crawling with talent and most importantly they entertain. The crowd digs ’em.
February 25, 2022 @ 2:02 pm
Thanks for giving these guys some press! And a great album, to be sure. Go check them out live for some flat out good picking, Iron Ore Annie smokes even more.
February 25, 2022 @ 2:54 pm
Really enjoyed their first two albums. Definitely checking this one out.
Just out of curiosity, why no reviews for Greensky Bluegrass? I fee like they have a pretty big following and are in the same circles as Billy Strings, The Wooks, and Molly Tuttle. My best guess is that they lean more into the “Americana” side of bluegrass, along with Mandolin Orange (Watchhouse), and the folkier Milk Carton Kids.
February 25, 2022 @ 3:05 pm
The latest Greensky Bluegrass album is still being considered for review. I don’t review a ton of bluegrass because bluegrass has its own community and websites, etc. I focus more on the offbeat and overlooked of the genre, or the up-and-comers. But I would review Greensky if I felt I had something of value to say about it.
February 25, 2022 @ 4:09 pm
Trigger,
If you want an up-and-coming group from the bluegrass world look to AJ Lee and Blue Summit. They are Northern California young folks who are just now breaking though into national festival bookings and larger venues. Their new album I”ll Come Back” was just released. Sullivan Tuttle plays guitar in her band, you may have head of Sullivan’s sister Molly Tuttle 😛
For those still reading Never Come Down from Portland, OR is also my new favorite under the radar bluegrass group.
February 25, 2022 @ 6:12 pm
Does anyone know how Tyler C. is coming along on the fiddle?
I would love to see him sawing on that thing, live, at some point.
February 25, 2022 @ 8:30 pm
Dear Trig,
Please watch this video.
It is extremely poignant, beautiful from an artist’s perspective, and profoundly sad. I can not believe what has happened in the last few days.
Remembered seeing it a few years back.
Thank you for taking the time.
♥️ to you & your family.
Thank you for what you do.
Kseniya Simonova Incredible Sand Art On Ukraine’s Got Talent
https://youtu.be/9zLa-o7ZeiQ
February 25, 2022 @ 9:09 pm
They are the Presidents of the United States of America of bluegrass.
February 26, 2022 @ 5:55 am
The album was a blind buy…
…& it’s one of my best blind buy albums ever.
12 great tracks, not one track to skip & many highlights.
“Flyin’ High” is already on my Texas & Beyond playlist.
More Great (Bluegrass) Music:
– Kristy Cox – Shades Of Blue – Album (12 Tracks) – Released (02/04)
Kristy Cox is the leading lady of australian bluegrass music with long string of Top 10 singles like the current one “Appalachian Blue” (#7 – Country Songs Top 40) & 5 Golden Guitars for Australian Bluegrass Recording of the Year.
She is well known in the States too & her new album debuted on #2 (Billboard Bluegrass Sales Charts) & #3 on the USA Bluegrass Country iTunes charts. Nashville is her second home for many years & she is working with many well known american (bluegrass) artists like Jerry Selley, Alicia Nugent & Randy Kohrs.
Shades Of Blue is a “classic” bluegrass album & it’s so far the best Kristy Cox album.
My Highlights: “If Heaven Was A House”, the duet with Marty Raybon “Kentucky’s Never Been This Far From Tennessee”…well…every track on Shades Of Blue is a highlight.
Early AotY contender.
– Donna Ulisse – Livin’ Large – Album (11 Tracks) – Released (02/25)
The award winning (2 IBMA awards for songwriter & song of the year) singer/songwriter is back with her new album, Doyle Lawson is in the producer chair again & Becky Buller, Jerry Salley are co-writers.
Donna Ulisse is not a new name…she signed with Atlantic Records Nashville in 1991 & released one album (Trouble At The Door) with two charted singles.
Livin’ Large is album #13 & like the Kristy Cox album it’s a great one. AotY contender? Sure!
“Livin’ Large In A Little Town” is the first single & on my Texas & Beyond playlist.
Bluegrass is alive & well.
February 26, 2022 @ 6:09 am
Not to detract from this review, but, I had the opportunity last night to have this man accompany me at an open mic session… not Blue Grass, but really good none-the-less
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk1V_W0aJMM
February 26, 2022 @ 12:04 pm
I saw them open for Tyler Childers in Dallas. The Wooks put on a better show and sounded great.
February 27, 2022 @ 6:17 am
I saw em open for Tyler in Athens, Ga at the 40 Watt. They both killed it.
February 26, 2022 @ 6:52 pm
Sir, living among these hipster bars in Berkeley I can attest that is a true statement.
February 27, 2022 @ 1:43 am
I saw them in 2019 with American Aquarium and Trampled By Turtles. in New Orleans. This is what I wrote a few days after their set. Nice to see them gaining exposure.
The Wooks took the stage at the largest of the three stages. Their 75 minute set was nice, but since I wasn’t familiar with them I had no idea what to expect. They are a Bluegrass band from Owensboro, Kentucky. Their set consisted of an extend “jam” on the Beatles Dear Prudence, the Band’s Atlantic City, as well as songs from their first two CD releases.
Shortly after their set I bought a copy of their CD, “Little Circles” as well as both the CD and vinyl versions of “Glory Bound” and was able to have all four band members sign each item, as well as having CJ Cain sign my poster.
February 28, 2022 @ 8:48 am
Hey there Growlerhill, The Wooks were never from Owensboro, KY. They are based futher east out of the Loiusville and Lexington, KY communities.
March 2, 2022 @ 4:33 pm
Wools from Lexington KY
February 27, 2022 @ 2:51 am
More Great Bluegrass:
Tammy Rogers & Thomm Jutz – Surely Will Be Singing – Album (12 Tracks) – Released (01/22)
February 27, 2022 @ 6:14 am
From Urban Dictionary:
“ noun or adjective. a dirty, hairy, stinky, mal-nourished, dishonest creature that often travels in packs, with possibly and unfortunately, mangy, multi-colored dogs on hand-made all natural, organic hemp leashes, or alone wandering aimlessly around a concert (usually “hippie music”) parking lot with a few seemingly more important than the music goals; find as many mind altering substances and cram them into their bodies as fast and furiously as possible, get into the show somehow, don’t lose the dog this time, and if by chance they come across unattended property such as a cooler, chair, backpack, or a beverage, it will then become their own. also once inside the show and the music begins, even if it sucks, a true wook will never be able to tell the difference because once the substances take effect, many of them can actually be seen dancing and “gooving” to music that only they can hear. wooks are only useful in one way: if you are trying to warn or scare a younger more easily influenced friend about the dangers of drugs, just tell them to observe and study the behaviors of wooks in their natural surroundings, but warn them that if they get too close, they may risk becoming one themselves!”
March 1, 2022 @ 5:45 am
I saw them at The Purple Fiddle in Thomas, WV. They’re terrific! I enjoyed the two albums I bought at that show, and will definitely get this one.