Lord of the Strings’ Release “Doin’ My Time”

Lord of the Strings’ “Doin’ My Time” hooked me after hearing it once.

You can’t ask for much better in the modern bluegrass world. Genre heavy-hitters such as Tony Wray, Dennis Parker, and Tim Crouch welcome dobro specialist Matt Leadbetter into the fold, and the effect is transformative. The latter’s contributions to this cover of a Flatt and Scruggs classic accentuate the bluesy nature of Jimmy Skinner’s song. 

I hear it extending and broadening Lord of the Strings’ reach. You can’t pigeonhole these guys as any one thing. Lord of the Strings may be a side project, but founder Wray and his cohorts are on the same page with the band’s goals. Lord of the Strings is a vehicle for exploring the genre’s past, present, and future rather than a way-back machine designed to supply mindless musical fun. The craft powering this single is superb. 

His vocals cut through and bring the reality of the song’s narrative front and center. Not all singers possess this talent. Wray’s skill for dramatizing a songwriting landscape without resorting to hollow theatrics separates him from the pack. He invests each line with a tasteful nuance that never risks the listener’s mockery. 

I think he’s well-served by outstanding musical talents. His bandmates are with him every step of the way. Leadbetter’s dobro lines are never omnipresent, but his contributions are significant. He drops artful fills and accents into the arrangement that seemingly answers Wray’s vocals while complementing his musical partners. Lord of the Strings provided first-class music before his addition, but Leadbetter’s inclusion makes them even more formidable. 

They sound like they’ve been playing together for years. Lord of the Strings launches into the recording with a tight grip on what they hope to achieve, and you’ll be convinced they’ve satisfied their ambitions less than halfway through. “Doin’ My Time” bears enough of a resemblance to the Flatt and Scruggs original that you will deem it loyal, but Lord of the Strings cannot resist putting their spin on the chestnut. You won’t argue with the results. 

I believe it helps that they selected a song that isn’t readily identifiable. Flatt and Scruggs were, indeed, a very popular act at one time. The ensuing decades diminished their impact for all but a diehard cadre of devoted country and bluegrass music fans. Those fans, admittedly limited in number, will have exacting critics among them. However, I think Lord of the Strings will please them, but it doesn’t matter if they don’t. 

They’re playing to please themselves, first and foremost, and I can’t imagine they aren’t happy with this single. I know I am. 

The vast majority of listeners will be. “Doin’ My Time” delivers the essential ingredients for a compelling bluegrass song, expertly played, convincingly sung, and well-recorded. It’s Lord of the Strings’ latest first-rate single, but I doubt it will be their last. This is a fantastic outfit whose continued presence on the scene reminds us of bluegrass’ enduring promise. They’re the real deal, and “Doin’ My Time” solidifies that.

Michael Rand