Music Reviews

Bluegrass has long been marked by ebullience and enthusiasm, a communal bond that both listeners and players are seemingly eager to embrace. The seasoned duo that goes by the name Starlett & Big John — specifically, Starlett Boswell and Big

Lorraine Jordan has been a household name in bluegrass music for several decades. Known as the Lady of Tradition, Lorraine and her band Carolina Road have scored multiple hits on the bluegrass charts, and numerous fans in the U.S. and

The German-American trio Standard Crow Behavior— Judith Beckedorf (vocals, mandolin, banjo), Steve Voltz (vocals, guitar), and Filip Sommer (vocals, violin, mandolin) — offers an approach that's both unique and well-rooted in archival origins. A blend of bluegrass, folk, and a

Bill Monroe was arguably one of the most prolific composers in the history of American music. All throughout his life and career, Monroe was constantly creating new ideas and expressions. While many of his compositions were recorded in the studio

True to their name, The Po' Ramblin' Boys sing songs about perpetual motion, always being on the move and never allowing themselves to be constrained by any particular confines. It's a restlessness that not only informs such songs as Missing

Over the years with the Infamous Stringdusters, Jeremy Garrett's muscular, bluesy fiddle work became an instantly recognizable part of his musical identity. So I was eager to hear how that sound played out on River Wild, his back-to-his-bluegrass-roots CD for

Music can evoke all sorts of emotions. Some songs can bring feelings of liveliness, some can bring longing for a greater time, and others can bring messages of hope and salvation. The Wayfarers, based in Southeast Ohio demonstrate all these

Rayna Gellert and Kieran Kane reconnect once again for what may well be their most affecting effort yet. Their dedication to traditional form is apparent throughout, courtesy of minimalist approach that focuses wholly on vocals, guitar, banjo, and fiddle, while

With Leave the Porch Light On, Kim Robins shows once again why the accolades that have been tossed her way are anything but an accident. Having earned two nominations for the IBMA's Momentum Vocalist of the Year award, she uses her

Like so many other great moments in bluegrass, the new Crowe & Wasson project began with a banjo. J.D. Crowe had recently acquired a new Gibson Granada, in the same sequence as those played by Sonny Osborne and Earl Scruggs,