Reviews

DOC & DAWG LIVE AT ACOUSTIC STAGE, 10/10/97 Acoustic Disc ACD-CD-50055    A few minutes into “Blue Grass Stomp,” the third cut on disc one (of two discs) of this marvelous, powerful, live recording of Doc Watson and David Grisman from October 1997, Doc says to David (after a Monroe-esque mandolin break), “I think Bill would…

ROLAND WHITE & FRIENDS A TRIBUTE TO THE KENTUCKY COLONELS Mountain Home MH17242 Before the introduction of CDs, much of the music of the Kentucky Colonels was difficult to acquire. Now over the last couple of decades, just about everything the band recorded, including some live performances, is available. Roland has his own band, but…

FRANK SOLIVAN & DIRTY KITCHEN IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT Compass Records 747202 Bands don’t come much tighter than Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. Anchored by Solivan’s soaring, emotive tenor and brilliant mandolin chops, the band handles all manner of complex melodies, sophisticated syncopation, and turn-on-a-dime rhythmic shifts with acrobatic ease. As the ten…

SPECIAL CONSENSUS RIVERS AND ROADS Compass Records 747092 The press material accompanying the latest CD from Special Consensus proclaims that the band has “never sounded better” in its 40-year career. After a good listen, it’s awfully hard to argue with that bold assertion. Rivers And Roads, produced and arranged by Alison Brown, is top-notch from start…

KATHY KALLICK BAND HORRIBLE WORLD Live Oak Records 620 Kathy Kallick, with her big engaging voice and compelling musical style, has been a keystone of the West Coast bluegrass scene for decades. A contemporary and peer of such greats as Laurie Lewis and John Reischman, Kallick has entertained audiences at festivals and clubs from California…

RED WINE CAROLINA RED: VINTAGE 1978 Red Wine Music RW 009 Red Wine celebrates its 40th anniversary with its release of Carolina Red: Vintage 1978. That is no small feat for any band, and a special accomplishment for a bluegrass group from Italy. Silvio Ferretti plays banjo and is the only member from the original band….