Remains to be Scene (Smithsonian Folkways, 2025)

It's been 50 years since the landmark album "Live at the Cellar Door" from the 53-year running Seldom Scene. With multiple lineup turnover through the years, "Remains to Be Seen" has none of the original members from that historic effort. It's the band's first album since 2019's aptly titled "Changes," and second since the retirement of co-founder and banjo maestro Ben Eldridge, who wrote the liners before his passing in April 2024. This also marks the final album for guitarist Dudley Connell, who joined the band from the Johnson Mountain Boys.

That said, it would difficult to find a band that's stayed truer to its mission statement for over five decades. Even here, as they always have, they continue to progressivley transform covers from the likes of The Kinks, Bob Dylan and Jim Croce, among others. They return to one of the favorites from that essential live album with an affectionately rendered "White Line" and nod to their mentors, Flatt & Scruggs, with "Hard Travelin'."

The current lineup is Connell (who will be replaced by Grammy-winner Clay Hess), Lou Reid (mandolin, guitar), Ronnie Simpkins (bass), Ron Stewart (banjo, fiddle, guitar) and Fred Travers (Dobro). Of course, they all sing. Their sound is 100-percent committed in spirit, but when you listen to this side by side with "Live at the Cellar Door," there's a noticeable downturn in vitality.

Opener "Last of the Steam-Powered Trains" is from The Kinks and sung by Reid. Travers brought from his friend David Norris' "Man at the Crossroads" while the band also covers Jim Croce's "A Good Time Man Like Me Ain't Got No Business (Singin' the Blues)" delivered convincingly by Connell. The two Dylan covers (there is at least one on almost all of their albums) are "Farewell, Angelina," popularized by Joan Baez and rendered by Simpkins, and the oft covered by bluegrass groups and folk singers "Walking Down the Line" with vocal honors to Reid.

More obscure fare Is "Lonesome Day" sung by Travers and "I Could Cry" sung by Connell. Two of the most harmonious tracks are "Show Me the Way to Go Home" sung by Simpkins and Connell's parting vocal on one from The Johnson Mountain Boys, the banjo driven rouser "The Story of My Life."

It's top shelf bluegrass and a worthy endeavor; yet, judging by the title, is the future uncertain?