by Rich O’Hanley “Enter highway. Drive more than 2000 miles.” And so begins the Dixie Bee-Liners concept album, “Susanville.” The concept is a road trip, but this isn’t Leon Copas or C.J. McCall telling epic tales of the road. There … Read More
by Tom Brown They say a picture is worth a thousand words and Bluegrass Time by Phil Zimmerman is more than a collection of photographs. The book also contains a host of stories, biographies and interesting bluegrass facts, from the … Read More
I really like the Remington Ryde, in the same way I really like local historical museums, small-town fireworks on the 4th of July, and mom-and-pop stores that aren’t big-box chains. I like the Remington Ryde the way I like minor-league … Read More
From college students to one of the top bluegrass bands touring today, the Steep Canyon Rangers met at the University of North Carolina and have stuck together, turning pro in 2001. For these fine musicians and songwriters to have met, … Read More
by Doug Trotter This is an enjoyable listen. Nothing that I would consider really hard driving bluegrass music, but the songs have bluegrass instrumentation and songs that are reminiscent of Marty Robbins gunslinging ballads. The song that really sticks out … Read More
Note: This is the second review of Gene Lowinger’s newly released book, “I Hear a Voice Calling: A Bluegrass Memoir.” We rarely print two reviews of a book or CD. However, since both were submitted to us, we have made … Read More
First, for those unfamiliar with the Dyer Switch Band; now out of the Albany area they’ve been playing together since 1992, have been inducted into the New York State Country Music Hall of Fame, and were nominated as the Bluegrass … Read More
by Tom Thorpe Get ready for another groundbreaking project from the Gibson Brothers before you listen to “Ring the Bell.” After I first played the album, I was moved. There was something different, something special about this CD – something … Read More
Claire really knows how to pack a CD with easy-on-the-ear songs. In addition, some of the best stuff is the intros to these songs. Claire’s band of Jason Thomas on mandolin and fiddle, Jim Hurst on guitar and banjo, and … Read More
I enjoyed listening to this CD “Don’t Turn Back”, by Dale Ann Bradley. What struck me first is the quality of the arrangements. The mix of rhythm, placement of solos, and modulation of intensity join to evoke an emotional undercurrent … Read More