Reviews

HARD DRIVE No Label No Number Millennial bluegrass is not for the old and stodgy unless you are open to reinventing the norms. The opening track, “Intuitions,” is reminiscent of The Twilight Zone, smooth voice over and all. This segues into the women’s voices on the introduction to a very fine “Goin’ Up Caney.” The music…

CEDAR HILL GRANDPA BUILT A CHURCH HOUSE Nickeltown Records NR190515 Frank Ray first formed Cedar Hill way back in 1967 and has fronted the band ever since. Through those years and many personnel changes, he has kept the band true to their Ozarks roots and their traditional sound. He has also been a major contributor…

MICHAEL CLEVELAND TALL FIDDLER Compass Records 747372    Michael Cleveland’s exceptional talent has been obvious from a very early age. On Tall Fiddler, Cleveland shows multiple sides of his musical talent as it has grown into full bloom. Unlike his CDs with The Flamekeepers, Cleveland’s solo CDs give him the freedom to work with other musicians and…

ONDRA KOZÁK OVERTONES: 12 SONGS, 12 VINTAGE GUITARS No Label, No Number    If you’re a guitar player with a love of vintage instruments, this album is for you. If you’re an acoustic music fan with a love of gorgeously played tunes, this album is for you. And if you’re a jaded listener with a need…

BEN WINSHIP ACORNS Snake River Records No Number Ben Winship sings and plays mandolin, mandola, guitar, and tenor guitar on this new acoustic collection of 14 tunes and songs. Most are originals, but also included are a few older tunes such as Burl Hammons’ “Shakin’ Down The Acorns,” “New River Train” from Wade Ward and…

HAMMERTOWNE PICTURES Mountain Fever MFR190712 Since forming in 2012, Hammertowne continues to write and perform high-quality and original songs. This collection, the fourth album for the band, is no exception. The title-track, “Those Pictures Mean A Whole Lot More These Days,” was written by guitarist and lead and harmony vocalist David Carroll, as was the…