Listeners who know their bluegrass will easily pinpoint Andrew Crawford's most prominent influence, guitarist Tony Rice, who died this past December. The one immediately apparent difference is that Crawford writes his own material, whereas Rice covered early bluegrass standards alongside more unexpected selections composed by contemporary folk troubadours, Gordon Lightfoot in particular. (On occasion Rice cut acoustic jazz discs, but here we're discussing his bluegrass repertoire.) A progressive artist who also appealed to the tradition-minded, he left vacant a space that someone with the requisite skill set was bound to fill eventually.

Well, eventually has arrived sooner than expected. Crawford, of whom I hadn't heard till lately, has released what I infer is his first album. Like Rice, he is a sophisticated picker with a smooth, though not bland, tenor voice and a taste for worthy material. Both The Lonesome Season's liner notes (such as they are) and website provide only a modicum of biographical information, but we do learn that he grew up and lives in South Carolina and has played with or for the prominent likes of Rhonda Vincent, Vince Gill and Dale Ann Bradley. Otherwise, he's a musical jack-of-all-trades, involved with studio work for others as well as serving time in area wine bars. In other words, the not always glamorous life of a 21st-century bluegrass guy.

I make sure to listen more than once -- at least -- when I set out to review a CD, especially one by a performer who is new to me. With each spin Crawford's approach grew on me as I paid increasingly close attention and came to understand what he's up to -- simply put, better-than-usual songs in solid modern instrumental settings. While the overall sound is not one the foundational acts (Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs et al.) had in mind, I suspect that they would have appreciated Crawford's keen musicianship and his impressive storytelling.

Crawford's songs (half of them co-writes) split the difference between, on one side, familiar themes of old home place, Mom and Dad, and Jesus, on the other side more deeply imagined narratives set in Western landscapes, perhaps less reminiscent of traditional ballads than of some by the late folkish singer-songwriter John Stewart. All evince confident craftsmanship, positioning themselves a step or two above too-common by-the-numbers bluegrass concoctions. I particularly like the title cut and the history-based "Big Montana," but the quality over the course of the recording remains consistent.

Crawford seems destined to make his mark on bluegrass. Lonesome Season sends him off on a promising start.