Reviews

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…

HAMMERTOWNE HILLBILLY HEROES Mountain Fever MFR 170602 This is the third release from the Kentucky-based band Hammertowne. It’s the same five guys returning. Bandmembers David Carroll, Bryan Russell, and Brent Pack had a hand in writing eight of the twelve songs, drawing on Bill Castle, Del McCoury, Jerry Dill, and Evan Maynard for the rest….

LONESOME RIVER BAND MAYHAYLEY’S HOUSE Mountain Home MH16852 The number of former members who’ve cycled through the Lonesome River Band since its founding 35 years ago is in the dozens. Through it all, it’s been banjo master Sammy Shelor, who’s kept a sure and steady hand on the tiller. Nearly 20 albums into the game,…