The Special C. prepare for the 35th anniversary

Today the original Bluegrass Blog carries news that the Special Consensus (USA) are in the recording studio this week, laying down six new original songs to form part of 35th anniversary, a forthcoming eighteen-track album on the Pinecastle label, commemorating the band's thirty-five years in existence.

The new tracks are being recorded by the band in its current configuration - not the same as when they were last in Ireland, but with Ryan Roberts on guitar and Rick Faris on mandolin in place of Justin Carbone and Ashby Frank. The remaining twelve tracks will be selected from previous Special C. recordings. For full details, see the Bluegrass Blog.

Update 18 Dec. Pinecastle's latest bulletin states:

The album will be released in the second quarter of 2010. The 35th Celebration will culminate with a special concert at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, IL, on 23 Oct. 2010. A large number of Special Consensus veterans will attend and perform.