Two years ago I was fortunate to be the only banjo player in a jam session with Michael Cleveland at 4 in the morning during the IBMA’s annual convention in Nashville. Michael Cleveland is a force of nature on the … Read More
Author: Ken Oakley Jehile (pronounced “Gi-hile” rhyming with “a tile”) Kirkhuff was legendary, blind fiddler who lived in nearby Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Born in 1907 to a long line of old-time fiddlers, he was said to have a repertoire of … Read More
I really like this band. The voices are just perfect, and the harmonies soar. The instrumental backup and breaks are very tastefully done, full of emotion, stick to the melody, and add the right amount of zip. Saying great things … Read More
by Chris Scheu Like Sara Lee, “Nobody doesn’t like Rhonda Vincent.” Here she is joined by bluegrass stars Russell Moore, Bryan Sutton, Jesse McReynolds and others as well as Keith Urban offering vocals on “The Water is Wide.” As you … Read More
Highly Recommended! Here are two bands whose recordings are better reviewed together than separately, because these bands embody very different visions of what bluegrass is all about. Compare what they call themselves: The Grascals have a pun built into their … Read More
This CD is Dan Tyminski’s second CD under his own name. He has built up an excellent reputation as a member of Union Station, and as the “voice” behind the song Man of Constant Sorrow, in the movie “O Brother, … Read More
This CD is a collection of tunes done outside of Alison Krauss’s Union Station Band, and several cuts outside the bluegrass genre. Alison has to me one of the easiest voices to listen to in bluegrass. She features her voice … Read More
by Peter Conklin Tony Rice is one of my favorite pickers. He plays bluegrass music with touch of jazz, folk and country. His album “Night Flyer” proves the point. Here you’ll find bluegrass songs like “I Never Meant To Be,” … Read More
by Pat & Mark Dinges It’s not bluegrass. And, if you’re not already a Cowboy Junkies fan, chances are this CD/DVD set isn’t for you. However, if you “are” a fan we think you’ll appreciate “Cowboy Junkies: Trinity Revisited.” It’s … Read More
Banjo picking devotees of Earl Scruggs, myself included, generally zero in on the “early years” as examples of his best work. By the time you get to the “folk years” of the 1960’s, the recordings pale when compared to the … Read More