Reviews

THE GRASCALS BEFORE BREAKFAST Mountain Home MH16872 One of the many charms and attributes that have won The Grascals a multitude of fans in recent years is the band’s capacity to convey everything from heart-stopping earnestness to lighthearted, even goofy humor. On the one hand, there are heart palpitators: The mournful “Demons” (written by Bill…

RHONDA VINCENT & DARYLE SINGLETARY AMERICAN GRANDSTAND Upper Mgmt. Music UM011 If you’re a fan of traditional country duos like George Jones/Tammy Wynette and Conway Twitty/Loretta Lynn, then this CD is a perfect match. As always, Rhonda Vincent’s vocals are spot-on. This time, she has the added benefit of recording with a true country traditionalist,…

THE BLUEGRASS UNIT SETLIST VOL.1 No Label TBU-1 This Canadian band has a great vocal trio and lots of hot licks to back it up. Everyone is a fine singer, and they sing their parts with lots of drive in a powerful delivery. Their picking is just as solid, with Justin Nauss on banjo, Kenny…

CAROLINA BLUE SOUNDS OF KENTUCKY GRASS Poor Mountain Records PMR-0004    This album’s attention-grabbing set of hard bluegrass songs presents a genuine breakout for Carolina Blue. That backstory of a western N.C. band named Carolina Blue releasing an album called Sounds Of Kentucky Grass further distinguishes the album in a crowded marketplace. Although noted for their…

FIDDLER’S DREAM: OLD-TIME, SWING, AND BLUEGRASS FIDDLING IN TWENTIETH CENTURY MISSOURI BY HOWARD WIGHT MARSHALL Univ. Of Missouri Press 9780826221216. CD included, 448 pp., 111 photos, $29.95. (Chicago Distribution Ctr., 11030 S. Langley Ave., Chicago, IL 60628, upress.missouri.edu.) This second volume by Marshall on the fiddling in Missouri brings the reader up to the twentieth…

DOUG FLOWERS FAVORITES No Label No Number The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Will The Circle Be Unbroken album served as the inspirational concept for Doug Flowers latest CD. Flowers, who has performed with the Little Roy & Lizzy Show and Clinton Gregory, gathered together some of his favorite singers, songwriters, and pickers for a jam…