Reviews

DARIN AND BROOKE ALDRIDGE FASTER AND FARTHER Mountain Home MH16642 Eight years into their career—and their marriage—North Carolinians Darin and Brooke Aldridge have established themselves as rising stars on the bluegrass gospel scene. Their new album, as its title suggests, seems destined to speed their ascendance. Faster And Farther showcases not just Brooke’s remarkable vocal…

MICHAEL AND JENNIFER McLAIN HIT THE ROAD AND GO No Label No Number One airing of this new recording from Michael and Jennifer McLain and you’ll know the aim is one of an older vintage. Any resemblance to contemporary bluegrass is so thin as to be wraith-like. Maybe you hear a bit on the start…

CASCADE CRESCENDO CAUGHT IN THE RAIN No Label No Number Cascade Crescendo’s name honors the majestic Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest including Oregon, and this Portland-based group’s impressive debut album proves yet again that you don’t have to hail from the Appalachian or Blue Ridge Mountains to create heartfelt, exciting bluegrass. This is a…

BLUE MAFIA HANGING TREE Pinecastle Records PRC1202 After the dark comes the light. Blue Mafia has been self-described as “dark” and “bloody” and “dirty” and, in reviews, as “edgy.” Listening to their first two recordings confirms such. Now comes their third and, while much of that dark and edgy quality is still front and center,…

THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS LAWS OF GRAVITY Compass Records 746782 Combining an infusion of superb musicianship, clever songwriting, and intricate arrangements, The Stringdusters have once again produced another project of their approach to modern bluegrass. This seventh release features the band’s current lineup: Andy Hall on resonator guitar, Andy Falco on guitar, Chris Pandolfi on banjo,…

THE SAVAGE HEARTS PLAYING IT FORWARD No Label AS001 This is an interesting program of tunes and songs drawing from wide-ranging sources including Jim Croce, Bob Wills, and Tim O’Brien with a nod to Latin music with “Compadres In The Old Sierra Madres” and a Puerto Rican melody, “El Combanchero.” On their website, they call…