Just as bluegrass helps define an essential element of American music, when it’s translated internationally, it naturally takes in other additives that are indigenous to the countries where it’s performed. Matuto is an ideal example of a fusion that’s often
Author: Lee Zimmerman
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Tales From East Kentucky – Larry Cordle
Larry Cordle’s connection to his native Kentucky has always been solidly ingrained in his style and sound, but for those unaware, his latest effort, Tales From East Kentucky ought to affirm that legacy as first and foremost as goes his
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Road To Nowhere – Songs From The Road Band
While it’s a well known fact that traditional bluegrass has always had elements in common with folk music of a vintage variety, it takes an outfit like the Songs From The Road Band to make that connection consistently clear. On
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Bluegrass Beyond Borders: Lilly of the West takes Bluegrass to Bulgaria
If any further proof is needed that bluegrass has extended its worldwide reach, one need only look to Lilly of the West, a band that’s brought an archetypical American sound to Eastern Europe and beyond. Founded by singer, songwriter, and
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Rolling On – Allegheny Drifters
Make no mistake — the Allegheny Drifters have no allusions about being nu-grass, grassicana, Americana, or for that matter anything other that what they are, which is traditional bluegrass. Some might deride them for making no attempt to push the
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Old World – NewTown
Based in Lexington, Kentucky, and fronted by vocalist/fiddler Kati Penn Williams and her singer/banjo player husband, Jr. Williams, NewTown produces a sound that typifies today’s new generation of bluegrass bands. Formed in 2009, the band got its start when Williams
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Bluegrass Beyond Borders: Stone Bones & Bad Spaghetti from Portugal
Making music can be a lonely profession at times, given the fact that there’s often a lot of travel involved, considerable time spent away from home, and interaction with people don’t always relate to a musician’s MO. Likewise, when you’re in
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Solid Ground – Wood Belly
It’s rare when a new band nails their sound the first time out, so credit Wood Belly with doing exactly that and earning the kudos they deserve as a result. Recorded last October with Grammy-winning producer Sally Van Meter at
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The Infamous Stringdusters – from bluegrass to newgrass to grassicana
The Infamous Stringdusters at Red Rocks - photo by J.Mimna Photography It’s a Tuesday night in Knoxville Tennessee and although it could be considered an off night, an audience is being energized by a performance from the Infamous Stringdusters who are onstage
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North of Despair – Wood & Wire
It’s evident even at the outset that Wood & Wire appreciate the essence and nuances of grassicana, not only in the way they construct their adept arrangements, but also in the sources that serve as their inspiration. While the title