Reviews

TROUT STEAK REVIVAL THE LIGHT WE BRING TS Records No Number This is the fifth release from this Colorado-based quintet. They are Bevin Foley (fiddle, violin, viola), Steve Foltz (mandolin, guitar), Casey Houlihan (bass), William Koster (resonator guitar, guitar), and Travis McNamara (banjo, piano, Wurlitzer). The band has produced a musical journey through roots music,…

EASY 2-CHORD SONGS FOR GUITAR BY WAYNE ERBSON Native Ground Books & Music 978-188-320-6772. CD included, 96 pp. (Native Ground Books, 109 Bell Rd., Asheville, NC 28805, www.nativeground.com.) Wayne Erbson, author and compiler of this collection of 33 two-chord American folk songs, has a knack for remembering what it’s like to start out trying to…

AARON JONAH LEWIS THE JOE MORELY PROJECT: MOZART OF THE BANJO Old Time Tiki Parlour 017 The level of banjo playing here is phenomenal. While some bluegrass banjo players try to tackle classical music on the banjo, this project exudes it. This is a tribute to Joe Morley, a composer of classic banjo pieces, a…

RANDY BARRETT SHAKE RATTLE AND ROAR Patuxent Music CD-339 The range and scope of banjo playing has grown exponentially over the past half century. The root music that Bill Monroe shaped into bluegrass has bloomed and grown like the sport scion that produces new things from the old gene pool. Barrett is that kind of…

CUP O’ JOE IN THE PARTING Cup O’ Joe Music 60643 Cup O’ Joe is a young family trio from Northern Ireland consisting of Reuben Agnew (guitar), Tabitha Agnew (banjo, guitar), and Benjamin Agnew (bass). They’re assisted on this project by David Benedict (mandolin), Niall Murphy (fiddle), Josh Clark (percussion), Dave Molloy (guitar), Eilidh Patterson…

SPECIAL CONSENSUS CHICAGO BARN DANCE Compass Records 747562     After a 45-year run as one of America’s leading bluegrass bands, Special Consensus decided to take the long road back to their sweet Chicago home for their anniversary project. One unique quality of Special C (as they’re internationally known) is that native son Greg Cahill chose…