Reviews

THE WILDMANS WANDERING THOUGHTS Patuxent Music CD 302 Enter the young brother and sister duo, Eli and Aila Wildman. Their talent is without question. It shines through on their debut recording throughout a selection of eight standards in thirteen tracks. Both Eli, who plays some exceptionally clean and attacking mandolin, and Aila, who displays an…

WILSON BANJO COMPANY SPIRITS IN THE HILLS Bonfire BRC5001 This is the first release from this South Carolina band. Banjo builder Steve Wilson leads the group that includes Joey Newton on guitar and vocals and ETSU student Sarah Logan on fiddle and vocals. A visit to the their website indicates there have been numerous personnel…

DEER CREEK BOYS MIDNIGHT & DAWN Mountain Fever MFR170929 The Deer Creek Boys may have taken the long way around, but the trip has been worth it with the release of their second album for Mountain Fever Records. Traditional fans will particularly appreciate the sound, especially coming from a group of young pickers. This strong…

RR-DEER CREEK BOYS AMANDA COOK DEEP WATER Mountain Fever MFR171103 Move over and make some room for Amanda Cook. It’s a name bluegrass fans are going to be hearing a lot in the coming years. Anyone with satellite radio will be hard-pressed not to have heard “Midnight 402,” the opening song on Deep Water. There…

SHANNON SLAUGHTER NEVER STANDING STILL Elite Circuit Records ECR-0004 If you’re in the market for a bluegrass album that flows with a gentle ease and smooth vocals, look no further than the latest from Shannon Slaughter. While there are a couple tracks that fall outside that “gentle and smooth” description (a fairly torrid cover of…

MOLSKY’S MOUNTAIN DRIFTERS Tree Frog Music, No Number    Bruce Molsky has become known as one of the world’s great traditional fiddlers. He is also proficient on banjo, guitar, and vocals. He’s made his name performing solo and in many bands and configurations. His newest band, which he says he is focusing on now, has Allison…