Reviews

As this impressive album attests, the Grascals, with 20 years of history, and members coming and going (and in the case of founding member Jamie Johnson, coming back again), are still going as strong as ever. They come blazing out of the chute with a salute to the Osborne Brothers, who’ve had an indelible influence…

Singer/songwriter Rick Lang follows up his IBMA award-winning CD, Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout with another all-star ensemble of musicians on Blue Collar Gospel (Billy Blue Records). The magical vocal pairings for the 11-cut project including Becky Buller and Nathan Woodard (“Rise Above It All”), Dave Adkins with Alecia Nugent and Jerry Salley (“Old Rugged Me”), Barry Abernathy featuring John…

If you’re a bluegrass purist looking for an album that sounds like it just wandered from the Appalachian foothills, look no further. Ancient Songs et al is heavily fortified with evangelical hymns, Woody Guthrie, Townes Van Zandt, AP Carter, and of course, Bill Monroe. Dry Branch Fire Squad seeks to preserve the essence of these…

As a leading figure to rise out of the ‘60s folk revival, Tom Paxton’s songs have been recorded by everyone from Johnny Cash and Doc Watson to Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Peter, Paul & Mary. His “The Last Thing On My Mind” and “I Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound” have, of course,…

Jody Stecher is a long-time performer and promoter in the old-time, bluegrass, and folk music scene. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Stecher began playing at the age of twelve and grew to gain a background of those music styles, while learning to play guitar, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin. His collaboration with his wife Kate Brislin…

At 85, it is not impressive that Del McCoury is still making music.  What’s impressive is how darn good it is and how that voice is as strong and classic as ever. The beloved bluegrass musician has headlined his band for 35 years and has hit yet another home run with Songs of Love and…