Some songs, like Tom T. Hall’s “I Love,” unintentionally straddle the line between sincerity and satire. Some people maybe find the song to be a simple presentation of a complex idea. Others, Bob Dylan among them, think of it derisively … Read More
When people who are really into wine talk about wine they don’t tend to speak in generalities, but rather a whole range of specifics. They talk about the hints of this and that, the various notes of such and such. … Read More
Remember Josh Graves? How about Tut Taylor? Or Paul Franklin? For anyone other than the geeks (i.e., us) and the editors of the Fretboard Journal the names conjure something like memories, if not quite formed enough to warrant the term. … Read More
Sam Bush once said that Bill Monroe was the ultimate feel player. It’s a backhanded compliment in a way, despite Bush’s clear reverence, because what he was saying was that Monroe lacked melodic precision, playing more to rhythm. He was … Read More
The Bankesters are a family band, and that fact–remember Cherryholmes?–can lead to a bit of head scratching. How? How is it possible that a family can all get together, each holding up his or her instrumental end of the bargain? … Read More
Korey Brodsky is still so young, though has achieved so much. I hesitate to mention his age, as it becomes a hook to hang too much on, and there are lots of examples of that to choose from. Sierra Hull, … Read More
Sam Bush is such a perennial of Americana music, from first gaining lots of attention with Newgrass Revival, going on to be the King of Telluride … and he’s just kept on going. Through it all, subtle is not something … Read More
There are some albums that get your fingers itching, needing to pick up an instrument and start playing along. Bluegrass music is participatory anyway, which is one of the great things about it. But this is more than that. It’s … Read More
The Infamous Stringdusters came on the scene in 2007 and, right out of the gate, commanded a lot of attention, a lot of accolades, and some very impressive awards. That same year they won the International Bluegrass Music Association Emerging … Read More
Innovation has long been an important part of the musical endeavor, and it’s often the first person to happen upon a new idea—rather than the people who refine it—that remains foremost in our minds. That’s certainly true in bluegrass, and … Read More