Reviews

DAVID GRISMAN AND TONY RICE DAWG AND T: LIVE AT ACOUSTIC STAGE Acoustic Disc ACD-CD-50053 Now that Tony Rice is essentially retired from active playing, chances to hear new recordings from him lie in the archives. That’s what this recording is, a two-CD set from a live show he and David Grisman recorded in 1997…

RED HERRING HERE TO DISTRACT YOU No Label No Number This is a 12-track release that features sultry blues, sparsely accompanied ballads, introspective singer-songwriter material, gypsy swing with eastern European infusions (or vice versa), sly novelty songs, and driving bluegrass. It could pass comfortably as an anthology of diverse styles and players. However, as a…

CANE MILL ROAD FIVE SPEED No Label No Number It’s a good sign that there are so many fresh faces coming into bluegrass these days. They don’t get much fresher or younger looking than Cane Mill Road. The band, already making a name for itself, has released its first album, Five Speed. The group from…

KIM ROBINS RAINING IN BALTIMORE Pinecastle Records PRC 1205 It was beginning to look like another forty years wait for Kim Robins’ second release. Her first, titled 40 Years Late, was self-released in 2013. Then came another gap. Now this new one finally arrives, and it seems to have been worth the delay. Not only…

GALAX BOGTROTTERS OLD TIME JUBILATIONS Dittyville No Number    The Galax Bogtrotters are Eddie Bond on fiddle, banjo, guitar, and vocals, Erynn Marshall on fiddle, banjo, and vocals, Carl Jones on mandolin, guitar, banjo, and vocals, Eric Hill on guitar and banjo, and Bonnie Bond on bass and vocals. Joe Dejarnette plays bass on “Pretty Little…

THE FARM HANDS COLORS Pinecastle Records PRC 1208 The Farm Hands continue down the same furrow with their latest recording. What has worked in the past, works here. Their previous releases have all been characterized by direct, unflashy but highly appropriate instrumental work, and by warm lead vocals and very smooth harmonies. Song choices have…