Who would have guessed that one of the newest lights in bluegrass would be a 16-year-old from the North Carolina . . . coast? Asher Brinson certainly tackles more than bluegrass on his debut album, but what's astonishing is how well his guitar picking moves from sound to sound.

Asher Brinson Midnight Hurricane (self-released)

Brinson's voice is good, but it's also certainly young. His voice works better on the bluegrass songs, where a fine tenor is always welcome. He's missing some vocal depth on the occasional country-roots songs. He really doesn't have the gravitas to tell it like it is.

But his guitar picking! He's got the knack, and his ability to lay some soul into intricate runs is something that can't be taught. Learned, sure, but Brinson's ability to bring the music within him out into his playing is astonishing for such a young player. He seems to innately understand when to lay on the (acoustic) pyrotechnics and when to pull back.

If Brinson was from western Carolina, well, that would make sense. This is mountain music, not beach music, as referenced in "I'm Goin' Back to Galax", his tribute to the Galax Fiddler's Festival. Brinson has all the tools. Now he needs to build on this outstanding debut. If he manages that . . .

Jon Worley