Whenever a band releases a covers collection, it’s usually an indication that they needed a stopgap of some sort, a momentary respite prior to the planning of their next proper LP. Indeed, given the fact that Dreams is only the
Reviews
-
-
2018 Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival – Better than ever!
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage at the 2018 Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival - photo by Dale Cahill The 18th annual Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival is in the books and what a festival it was! Even a little bit of rain on
-
Heart Wide Open – Kristi Stanley
It’s not often that a stomach virus can help inspire a song. In Kristi Stanley’s case, it was a bug that forced her to take to her bed while offering the opportunity to meditate on her mother’s memory. She drifted
-
A Storyteller’s Memory – Remington Ryde
One of the greatest losses in bluegrass music in recent years was that of James King, the “Bluegrass Storyteller.” He had a way of filling songs with raw emotion that few singers share and a love for traditional bluegrass music
-
Epilogue: A Tribute to John Duffey
It’s early to start thinking about the 2019 IBMA awards, given that the finalists for this year haven’t been selected yet. But I already have a frontrunner for next year’s recorded event of the year, the award that goes to a
-
2018 Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival report
Jenny Brook promoter Candi Sawyer poses with her Jimmy Martin cutout - photo by Darcy Cahill Welcome to the 18th annual Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival! It seems like Candi and Seth Sawyer have done it again. They are busy this morning getting
-
Didn’t He Ramble: Songs of Charlie Poole – David Davis
It’s a credit to the genre and its ability to evolve and find a fit with contemporary audiences that bluegrass — or grassicana as its current incarnation is often referred to — is open to so many methods of interpretation.
-
Unbroken – Trinity River Band
It no longer surprises me when drums show up on a bluegrass record. When everybody from Irene Kelly to the Lonesome River Band and Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers is using percussion on their projects, it’s clear their use
-
Mountain Overture – Balsam Range
Balsam Range have a lot to brag about. In just over a decade, they’ve managed to accumulate a stellar reputation as one of bluegrass’ best hopes, notching up two IBMA Awards in a single year, one for Entertainer of the
-
New albums from all of the McCourys
The Del McCoury Band - Del McCoury Still Sings Bluegrass and The Travelin’ McCourys A bluegrass original and his sons and successors opt to release their albums simultaneously, providing a familial connection and clearly synchronistic styles. For his part, Del does what