The Seldom Scene Takes to the Studio to Bluegrass-up Rock and Folk Classics

The Seldom Scene

If you think a band that has weathered endless personnel changes is in danger of losing its steam, think again. The Seldom Scene’s latest Remains to Be Scene drives hard, marking their twenty-fourth album in a career span of six decades.

 Their first release in five years, mandolinist Lou Reid says the band felt it was time to return to the studio. “Smithsonian Folkways wanted to put out another record because our time was up with Rounder. We had to wait before we could do anything else new.”

Reid says the buyout of their Rounder recordings by Concord was a setback for the previous album.

“I thought it was one of the better records we recorded,” Reid remembers about their 2019 album Changes. “They [Concord] released one single, and then it just died!” Ried recalls taking the stage to perform at the 50th annual Grammy Awards. “We were nominated for a Grammy—we didn’t win it, but we went out there and had a good time.”

Their latest record, Remains to Be Scene, delves into the songs of past legends Jim Croce, Bob Dylan, The Kinks, and Flatt & Scruggs. “I begged and borrowed from songs from different places, whether it be rock n roll, folk, or bluegrass. I think it’s a really good album!

“We got the song ‘Walking down the Line,’” adding, “The Country Gentlemen cut that a long time ago.” Reid imitates their banjoist Ron Stewart, who jumped at the chance to record the song. “He said, ‘Oh man! We ought to do that!’ You know, he’s always listening to stuff like that.”’ [laughs]

When asked about making a Dylan or Croce song into a bluegrass song, “You find the key where the song is going to suit you,” explains Reid, who shares their musical recipe, “And we reduce the song down till it sounds more bluegrass.”

“If it's got too many chords in it, we probably want to remove a few of them because bluegrass has never been real ‘chordy,’ so to speak.”

Reid explains why The Seldom Scene chose the songs they did for the new album. “I think the approach we take on doing songs is to try and pick songs that feel good to us.

“I used to listen to The Dave Clark Five, Herman's Hermits, The Kinks, and The Beatles,” explains Reid, who suggested The Seldom Scene record The Kink’s “Last of the Steam Powered Trains.” “I thought it was a really good theme for the record.”

With Clay Hess replacing long-time fellow bandmate Dudley Connell, the North Carolina native is sad to mention Connell’s recent accident. “Dudley planned on retiring at the end of the year, but he fell, broke seven ribs, punctured a lung, and broke his arm, so it just put him out of commission.

“We tried out a few people, but Clay Hess seemed to work really well,” “He’s just a really great guy and fun to work with, too! We welcomed him with open arms.”

Going on, “I didn’t know that Clay Hess was a singer! I knew he could play the fire out of a guitar, so it was a nice hidden surprise.”

Reid reminisces about his good friend, founding member and banjoist, the late Roy Eldridge.

“Ben and I used to travel together. I just had the utmost respect for Ben Eldridge. Very intelligent guy -- very talented guy in every way!”

Expressing gratitude for The Seldom Scene, Lou shares, “I’m just thankful that we’re all still friends and still out there working. I thank all the fans who came to see us and have been with us all these years. We appreciate and love them.”  

As for The Seldom Scene, Reid says the band will likely continue into the future.

“I will tell you what I told Ron Stewart when he asked me after members were leaving if we can continue. I told him I think it’s the same thing as it was when mandolinist John Duffy passed away, and Ben said we have a license to continue. I’m seventy, so your age will dictate what you end up doing before long. I figure if the other members in the band want to continue, they can!”

Reid is the longest-running member, followed by bassist Ronnie Simpkins and dobro player Fred Travers. He says they will pass the torch when the time comes.

“I’m speaking about Fred, Ronnie, and me. When we are all gone, whoever is next in line is welcome to carry this band on.”