by Pat Dinges I was disappointed on the first listen. I was expecting a CD packed with instrumentals with the mandolin front and center. After all, Sierra Hull is a gifted mandolin player, right? When I listened to Sierra Hull’s … Read More
Many years ago, this reviewer hosted a weekly bluegrass radio show on WHPK, at the University of Chicago. Through the radio show and the U of C Folk Festival, I had the chance to meet local and national bluegrass acts, … Read More
by Kim McMann Thankful, Larry Stephenson’s fourth gospel release, is a joyful celebration of Christian faith and bluegrass. Easy to listen to, without many surprises, the CD is worthy of a listen due to the smooth vocals and interesting collection … Read More
For those of you who (like me) have assumed that Steve Martin’s banjo was primarily a prop for his stand-up routines (along with the fake arrow-through-the-head), this CD will be an eye-opener. It turns out that the instrument has been … Read More
Rhonda and the Rage have been around for a long time. Even that great bluegrass newspaper The Wall Street Journal referred to Rhonda as “the new queen of bluegrass.” Rhonda is certainly one of the royal figures of bluegrass. She … Read More
If there was a “truth in labeling” law for bluegrass albums, the latest Bobby Osborne release would be in perfect compliance: it is, in fact, bluegrass, but goes beyond the classic forms of traditional bluegrass, both for the source of … Read More
This is a nice addition to the Alicia Nugent catalogue; not the powerhouse “A Little Girl…A Big Four Lane” was, but it fills in the blanks. “Hillbilly Goddess” draws from classic country/western themes and spices it up with, as usual, … Read More
Lonely Street has been a real eye-opener for me, since I was very unfamiliar with Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver beforehand, and it turns out that this CD makes an excellent introduction. Given this “starting from square one” review, I know … Read More
by Tom Thorpe Two years ago, my wife and I were sitting in a hotel room in Nashville during IBMA in the California Bluegrass Association’s hospitality suite waiting for the showcase of a new group to be called “Dailey & … Read More
The title is telling - “Echoes of the Mountain,” This CD takes a sweep across time from pre-bluegrass to the present, holding true to the authentic feel of the Appalachian styles that gave rise to traditional bluegrass. This is achieved … Read More