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Route 3- Just Believe review

Donald Teplyske  |  November 4, 2024

Route 3 Just Believe Route3Bluegrass.com Pinecastle Records

From the Ozark foothills of Missouri, Route 3 previously experienced chart success with "Cartersville." Following up on that, they have just released a seven-track EP entitled "Just Believe."

Janice Martin has joined on banjo with the core of the band intact: Jason Jordan (guitar), Doug Clifton (bass), and Greg Potter (mandolin). Everyone sings. The versatile Ron Stewart guests as fiddler.

"Just Believe" is comprised of six Jordan originals including a pair of co-writes with Potter. The sole non-band song is a cover of the early Mark Chesnutt hit (Canada #2, US #3) "Your Love is a Miracle."

Martin kicks things off on "Don't Know What I'll Do," a punchy, classic-sounding train song with "North & South," a Civil War tale, including the query, "Who would go out in front, who would go home?" This pair of opening numbers establishes the foundation to a fine sampler of Route 3's current direction.

Previously recorded by The Grasscats, "Your Love is a Miracle" is transformed into a solid bluegrass song with appealing banjo, fiddle, and mandolin fills. Its familiarity may take some of the focus from Jordan's songs, but that would be to sell them short.

Written with Porter, "What's the Difference" has an appealing cantor to its melody while the title track will appeal to those seeking a message of faith. As with each of the included songs, and given half a chance, both "Boy From West Virginia" and "Broken Hearted Fool"—a 99-year prison song—would sound good on bluegrass radio.

Jason Jordan has a pleasing voice, and as a collective the band sounds good together. I look forward to hearing more from Route 3.



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