Reviews

HEIDI AND RYAN Mountain Fever MFR161202 Where a standard secular bluegrass recording often includes a gospel tune, the Mountain Fever debut from Heidi and Ryan sort of reverses that pattern. This is a gospel recording, but among the eleven tracks are four secular songs. The album opens with “Grandma’s Knee,” a tune that alternates short,…

JOIN THE JAM! A METHOD FOR JAMMING OF TRADITIONAL STRING PLAYERS BY ANNIE SAVAGE. (www.savagefiddler.com) This new book by Savage dissects what part the fiddle plays in bluegrass. It breaks down songs and tunes, using licks and passing tones to dress up simple melodies. She uses the term “Tech Check” for each lesson presented. There…

THE LONESOME ACE STRINGBAND GONE FOR EVERMORE No Label No Number The second outing for this Toronto old-time trio—Chris Coole on clawhammer banjo, Max Heineman on bass, and John Showman on fiddle (all three sing)—opens with an original tune by Showman, “The Hucklebuck,” a wild romp fueled by their energy and musicianship. Aside from “Mad…

EAST OF MONROE BY THE RIVER’S EDGE Pennywill Music PM 1001 This is a mellow affair; three songwriters singing their own songs and some choice selections from others, dressed in great harmonies and sublime picking, making this a rich listening experience. There are eight musicians on this project. Gary Alan Ferguson sings and plays mandolin…

SIDELINE COLORS AND CROSSROADS Mountain Fever MFR161111 The liner notes to the new release from Sideline say there are four lead singers scattered throughout: Steve Dilling, Brian Aldridge, Skip Cherryholmes, and Brad Hudson. What the notes don’t say is who sings which tune. To be honest, I don’t know them well enough to hazard a…

THE KARL SHIFLETT & BIG COUNTRY SHOW SHO NUFF COUNTRY Patuxent Music CD-279 In the liner notes to his new CD, Karl Shiflett humbly expresses his hope: “If our music makes you move a little, tap your foot or if it touches your heart, then all our efforts have not been in vain.” No worries,…