The energetic and tight conversation between Tatiana Hargreaves’ fiddle and Allison DeGroot’s clawhammer banjo on the tune “Eighth of January” struck me immediately. Continuing on my listening journey, I realized, at some point, that this whole recording is driven by … Read More
Like Flatt & Scruggs or Reno & Smiley, the duo name of Hazel & Alice resonates as a source of inspiration for bluegrass novices or professional musicians. You don’t just hear Hazel & Alice, you know it’s them. So, Glory … Read More
Rudy Ekstein is a mandolinist based in Asheville, North Carolina who delivers twelve original tunes in a classic bluegrass ensemble setting. A stellar list of supporting musicians make up the various ensemble formations: Stuart Duncan, Jeff Autry, Mark Schatz, John … Read More
Since Neil V. Rosenberg’s book Bluegrass: A History, we have seen relatively few attempts to bring a fresh and up-to-date reading about the musical genre. The approach with Craig Harris’ new book, based on a wide range of personal … Read More
On an uncharacteristically warm and bright day in mid-February, I caught up with Eric and Leigh Gibson to talk about their music and their upcoming April 14th performance for the Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association. The Gibson Brothers were touring … Read More
Billy Parker is a powerful mandolinist from Phoenix, AZ. Mandoclectic is Billy Parker’s imaginative and thoughtful collection of songs and tunes that demonstrate both his personal vision and his respect for different musical influences. Fundamentally, this recording is a joy … Read More
Let me say right up front that Marc Rennard is my kind of fiddler. Marc’s fiddling is a proper extension of himself: powerful, engaging and steeped in the tradition. Earthenware is a welcome and long overdue introduction to Marc’s fiddling, … Read More
Mike Barnett grew up in Connecticut, and he was spotted as a gifted young fiddler from at least his high school days. That’s certainly when I first saw him. He wasn’t messing around then, and it was no surprise that … Read More
Bobby Hicks is a living legend in bluegrass music. He’s going in the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Honor this year. His prodigious fiddling was responsible for some of the classic Bill Monroe instrumentals like “Cheyenne” and “Roanoke,” and … Read More
On a particularly frigid evening a few years ago, Robert and Lillian Fraker came here to my house in Amherst for our usual festive dinner and a few hours of music making. Robert came through the door, eyes beaming. As … Read More