What If CD

DESCRIPTION: What If marks the third time Douglas has recorded Edgar Meyer's "Unfolding." The first was in the '80s on a Strength in Numbers album (Meyer, Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, and Douglas); the next was on 2008's Glide. Each time, the tune offered something more, but it's never sounded like this. Post-bop and blues collide with newgrass and swirl together at a blinding speed to become something new -- solos by Kimbro and Sedelmyer open a window for Mitchell to offer his best Sonny Rollins blowing. The cover of Tom Waits' "2:19" is a steamy, swinging, jump blues with Douglas' late-night vocal growl amid stinging lead guitars, honking saxophones, and backing harmony chorus. Douglas first covered Billy Roberts' "Hey Joe" on 1992's Slide Rule, but it didn't sound anything like this choogler. Tight flatpicked dobro, squalling fiddle, ripping electric guitar, and double-timed drums cook right out in front of the souled-out horns. "Freemantle" combines the Allman Brothers' gift for transce