Album Notes

Lincoln Crockett is a healer. A young man with a knack for soothing harmonies and bluegrassy picking, Crockett cut his chops as singer, songwriter and mandolin player for Cross-eyed Rosie, and has helped turn this popular Portland, Oregon five-piece into the Northwest's premier progressive bluegrass band.

On September 21, 2007 this mandolinist/guitarist/musical alchemist stepped forward from his many group projects and released "Angels & Devils Alike," his first full-length album. The release show was held at Portland's unparalleled Mississippi Studios and sold out hours before the doors opened. After years spent playing the Northwest and the West Coast as a supporting cast member for Cross-eyed Rosie, The Josh Cole Band and Caravan Gogh, "Angels & Devils Alike" reveals the depth, power and stunning musicality of Lincoln's own work. Portland's Willamette Week called it "gorgeous" and The Oregonian said it "radiates all that's good about the progressive side of bluegrass."

"Angels & Devils Alike" is sparse and spare in its arrangements, allowing for Lincoln's inspiring lyrics, delicate vocal harmonies and guitar/mandolin interplay to shine. The flavor of the music is not bluegrass or newgrass, nor is it pop or folk. Lincoln artfully blends texture and style into soothing, healing acoustic music. The end result is a seamless, fluid acoustic sound that grooves as it soothes, with a spiritual flavor specific to no genre.

After giving years of his life to travel, adventure and the study of advanced energy healing, Lincoln dropped it all to do music. Inspired as a child by rock and roll like Led Zeppelin and Nirvana, Lincoln channeled his chops into songwriting and acoustic music. While leading outdoor adventure trips for kids in Colorado, Lincoln developed the sound that now became his signature: deftly picked acoustic songs with near-jazz melodies and flowing, conscious lyrics. A move to Portland, Oregon led to his induction into Cross-eyed Rosie as mandolin player, vocalist and songwriter. Surrounded by accomplished musicians, Lincoln's rudimentary mandolin playing improved quickly, becoming an essential element of his own music. Cross-eyed Rosie's busy touring schedule and high-profile bookings schooled Lincoln in the art of performing. With them, Lincoln has played packed shows from Seattle to San Francisco and festivals such as Wintergrass, Telluride, String Summit and River City Bluegrass.

Lincoln's lofty sense of purpose sets him apart from the crowd, as does his musicianship and the tremendous diversity of his sound. Being an acoustic guitarist and mandolin player recording without a rhythm section, it would be easy to brand Lincoln an Americana artist. One listen to his work and the truth is apparent: Lincoln's modulating melodies, advanced harmonies and offbeat compositional techniques are much more than folk music. Equally inspired by world music and Nashville crispness, Lincoln's songs portray a sensibility that would suit either. Within a single song he con conjure Bill Monroe, Béla Fleck, George Harrison and Jack Johnson.

Lincoln recently opened for Phish’s Page McConnell at Portland’s Aladdin Theater and has already placed his popular song ‘Sawdust Settler’ on a compilation benefiting the Salmon Nation Project. He continues to gig with all of his band projects, and has begun devoting time to Robb&Crockett, a duo formed with Portland singer/songrocker Jimmy Robb. Lincoln is looking forward to touring in support of the new album, a significant press campaign and continuing his course as a successful independent musician.