Michael Daves is the long-time ringleader of NYC bluegrass scene with residencies at Rockwood and now Jalopy Theater in Brooklyn. His uber-talented band consists of Alex Hargreaves on fiddle, Jacob Jolliff on mandolin and Erik Alvar on bass. Michael plays guitar and sings. His latest project is an acoustic stringband reworking of R.E.M.’s 1985 album, Fables of the Reconstruction.

Michael as a youngster attended a summer camp in Georgia with counselors who all were R.E.M. fans from nearly Athens Georgia. Of course, those influences stayed with Michael over the years. He decided to give his band musical creative projects like recreating the music of Jimmy Webb and recently the music of R.E.M. and Fables came to be. We begin with the band’s version of “Driver 8” and include Michael’s versions of “Green Grow The Rushes”, “Feeling Gravity’s Pull” and finish with “Can’t Get There From Here”.

Along the way, we hear Michael’s approach and inspiration for this project and his new record label “Wild Geranium Records”. Give a listen to the original album as it celebrates it’s 40th anniversary or delve into these virtuosos versions; either way you’ll be rewarded with the creativity of those involved.