Reviews

HOEDOWNS, REELS, AND FROLICS: ROOTS AND BRANCHES OF SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN DANCE—BY PHIL JAMISON—University of Illinois Press 9780252080814. Paperback, b&w photos, $28. (Univ. Of Ill. Press, 11030 S. Langley Ave., Chicago, IL 60628, press.ullinois.edu.) Written by a nationally known old-time musician, flatfoot dancer, and square dance caller who teaches Appalachian music, dance, and mathematics at Warren…

CLAWHAMMER BANJO: TUNES, TIPS & JAMMING—BY WAYNE ERBSEN—Native Ground, No Number. Spiralbound, 120 pp., two CDs and mp3, $24.95. (Native Ground Books & Music, 109 Bell Rd., Asheville, NC 28805, www.nativeground.com.) There is an awful lot to love about this book. If you’ve ever used one of Erbsen’s books, this one is a must have….

JAKE AND REBEKAH WORKMAN DEEP INTO THE HEART No Label No Number It won’t be long before most of the bluegrass community knows the name Jake Workman, since he joined Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder near the end of 2015 on the recommendation of Bryan Sutton and Cody Kilby. Meanwhile, we can enjoy Deep Into…

LONESOME MEADOW TICKET TO MY NAME No Label No Number After releasing five CDs in six years, Lonesome Meadow seemed to go on a recording hiatus. With their return to recording, this family band (the Jacksons)—bassist Mark, guitarist John, fiddler Anne-Marie, and banjoist Gary—from Ohio has selected a format that has more cover tunes than…

JOHN BOWMAN BEAUTIFUL ASHES Mountain Home MH16442 This isn’t John Bowman’s first solo effort, but it’s his way of making a statement that says he has his own ministry. “This recording is a valuable part of the ministry God has entrusted me with,” Bowman said. “Every song has a special message for every listener whether…

MATT BROWN & GREG REISH SPEED THE PLOW No Label No Number    This is a duet album in the truest sense of the word. Two voices work in concert to bring the listener a compelling experience of such depth and nuance that it can be savored repeatedly. Matt Brown is one of the many younger…