Sold Date: March 16, 2024
Start Date: November 16, 2023
Final Price: $22.00 (USD)
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Chris Castino, the primary songwriter for The Big Wu, and Chicken Wire Empire from Milwaukee, WI created a critically acclaimed new Bluegrass record with an all-star lineup of Hall of Chris’ lifelong musical heroes collaborating, including several GRAMMY winning artists in the bluegrass and Americana: Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, Tim O’Brien, Jerry Douglas, Andy Hall, Vince Herman, Nick Forster, Keller Williams, and Adam Greuel, this feels like a classic bluegrass album and sounds instantly familiar.

 Fresh Pickles Track Listing:

1.) Kangaroo 2:38
2.) Red Sky 4:25 (feat. Sam Bush)
3.) Bound For the South 5:26 (w/ Tim O’Brien and Nick Forster)
4.) Shanty Town 3:24 (feat. Vince Herman)
5.) Minnesota Moon 3:41 (w/ Adam Greuel)

6) Young Pioneer 3:57
7.) Rhode Island Red 3:18
8.) Jackson County 5:33 (feat. Jerry Douglas and Adam Greuel)
9.) The Ballad of Dan Toe 6:32 (feat. Peter Rowan and Jerry Douglas)        10.) Irregular Heartbeat 4:59

Met with critical acclaim, including premieres in The Bluegrass Situation, Relix, and Glide, as well as significant radio airplay and on the air in over 25 states—the album hit #4 on the Alt Country Chart, debuted at #13 on the Relix/Jamband Radio Charts, and is on the rise in Americana and Bluegrass radio.

With Fresh Pickles, Chris Castino has remade himself in the guise of a personable picker, one who’s adept at plying personality, skill, and satisfaction in equal measure. It may be his first bid for bluegrass credibility, but he can also lay claim to the fact he’s made an indelible impression in the process.”
—Bluegrass Today, Lee Zimmerman

“Chris Castino made his name with his jam band The Big Wu. Chicken Wire Empire is a progressive bluegrass band from Wisconsin. Together, they’re a match made in musical heaven. They teamed up to rework 11 of Castino’s songs into full-blown bluegrass tunes on Fresh Pickles.
—Outsider,

“Some tunes are firecrackers & others are dynamite. ‘Red Sky,’ is a workout that smokes. Guest fiddle-player Sam Bush provides the drive on this splendid tune. What makes Castino special is his ability to keep the bluegrass recipe spiced up with genre-shifting. He adds hints of 60s psychedelia, harmonic ballads, yet keeps it true to the tradition. This isn’t a novelty record; the songs are serious & well-played…”—Americana Highways, John Apice

“This album is a collection of eleven beautifully complex and wonderfully arranged songs that highlight the lyrics and vocal abilities of Chris Castino. As the Big Wu fans have come to expect from him, he has delivered a masterpiece, a guided tour through a rootsy tapestry of sound that will make them all feel at home, even if in a slightly different musical environment… This is definitely an album for all Bluegrass fans ... a triumph of technical ability bonded perfectly with the accessibility of the songs. An excellent addition to any country or bluegrass playlist… some astonishing music.”
—Alan Cackett (UK)

“...the energy from the stage was powerful…the room even had a similar festival feel as The Big Wu show… the best part was standing near fans, who would shout within seconds of the song starting the title of the new Jam turned Bluegrass song and the delight of fans of Chris and the Chicken Wire Empire. It’s fun to get a new look (or listen) at music.”
—Mostly Minnesota, Ann Treacy (Live show review Hook & Ladder 1/28/22)

“The Big Wu play a fairly large role in my high school and college days. I grew up in Aberdeen, SD, which seemed to be a common tour stop for the band. We even got a shoutout on the song 'Red Sky' (‘from Butte to Aberdeen’) and a nickname from the band, the Aberdeen Army… Each of these songs brings me to a place of nostalgia in the best possible way. That said, they are reimagined in a way that is still familiar and at the same time totally fresh pickles.”
—KAXE, Kari Hedlund

“…don’t worry if you’re not familiar with The Big Wu, for this album can certainly function as an introduction to the band’s music. As long as you like good songwriting and appreciate some fine bluegrass playing, you’ll enjoy this album.”
—Michael Doherty’s Music Log

“It is so great to hear Chris playing and singing with some of the best in the ever-expanding bluegrass world. To go from one of the seminal jambands of my young adult life to a bluegrass outfit is a testament to his versatility. Always loved Chris's voice!”  —Adam Ajala (Yonder Mountain String Band)

“Castino is one witty and wild loon. His lyrics tell a vivid story and his chord progressions are often that lovely balance between familiar and boundary-pushing.” —Adam Greuel

"It’s fun to collaborate with old bros. This direction seems to make sense for Chris. Storytelling and quick picking is right up his alley." —Keller Williams

Thanks for shopping with us.  Please check out our other vinyl currently for sale. We combine shipping: 1-3 records $6, 4-7 records $8. Eight or more records $10.