Album title aside, the highly acclaimed North Carolina combo dubbed Sideline take an unassuming stance with their latest effort, a set of songs that offers an ideal example of bluegrass at its best. It says something that this six piece ensemble
Author: Lee Zimmerman
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Long Ago – Jim and Lynna Woolsey
The aptly titled Long Ago is a celebration of sorts, one that marks the union of two talented bluegrass practitioners who have not only remained faithful to the form throughout their married life, but also well before. According to Jim
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Bluegrass Headquarters – Jussi Syren & The Groundbreakers
Finnish musician Jussi Syren and his band the Groundbreakers have been mining their music since 1995, not only emulating an authentic bluegrass sound but also mining it to the max under their own auspices. They’ve toured Europe and several states
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What Moves Mountains – Chicken Wire Empire
There’s something about Tom Petty’s sweet song Wildflowers that ensures the fact that no matter who covers it, or how many times one hears it, it’s bound to remain as indelible as ever. A great song stands up to any
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Bluegrass Beyond Borders: Smalltown Stories take on a larger perspective
The Norwegian outfit known as Trond Svendsen & Tuxedo take a varied approach that imbues a variety of influence, from the more robust strains of grassicana, country, and their down home designs, to high drama and a sound that’s decidedly
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Still Delivering – The RFD Boys
There’s something to be said for longevity, especially in today’s transient world. Fads come and go, musical tastes seem to change on a daily basis, and any definitions meant to determine a specific style of music seem to fluctuate with
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The Rail – Scott Slay
Taking the name of his new band from the title of his debut album, Scott Slay makes an impressive bow with The Rail, 13 easily accessible songs that effectively affirm his gift for composition and craft. A veteran of the
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Remembering Jeff Austin: the past was Yonder, but the future was all his own
The shocking news about the sudden and unexpected passing of Jeff Austin brought to mind an interview that I did with Austin in February 2015. I had spoken with him before when he was still with Yonder Mountain String Band,
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The Way These Things Go – FY5
After three previous albums, the Colorado based band that refers to itself as FY5 — the “F” and”Y” refer to the last names of the group's two principals, singer, guitarist and songwriter Mike Finders, and bassist, vocalist Erin Youngberg —
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Mountains, Mamas & Memories – Big Country Bluegrass
Nowadays, a band as unassuming and unpretentious as Big Country Bluegrass really stands out. It’s not that they’re reinventing the wheel; to the contrary, they’re taking a traditional stance that is as pure and unaffected as the influences from which