Reviews

In the liner notes to this worthy 20-cut reissue on the Patuxent label, illustrious banjo master Alan Munde recalls buying and being bowled over with these recordings back in the early 1960s. “In these early performances Bill Emerson demonstrates all the things one looks for in a model of superb bluegrass banjo playing,” Munde writes….

A great writer, no matter what format, songs or stories will not only be able to turn a phrase in a way that catches your ear, but will use that skill to catch your heart as well. A great writer will more often than not remind you of what you already know, but do that…

As a youngster in Yucaipa, California, Sonia Shell discovered the banjo. Today, she’s a sought-after musician and in-demand instructor on the California scene.   Shell’s fine new album serves as a “how-to” of sorts. She clearly enjoys the public domain classics, uses them in her instruction and has included a fair number of them here…

Mac Martin is considered to be one of the pioneers of bluegrass music. Growing up in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area, he learned to play guitar and perform locally. After high school and a term in the Navy, he formed the Pike County Boys in the late 1940’s and later formed the Dixie Travelers around 1955….

At 85, it is not impressive that Del McCoury is still making music.  What’s impressive is how darn good it is and how that voice is as strong and classic as ever. The beloved bluegrass musician has headlined his band for 35 years and has hit yet another home run with Songs of Love and…

The world of bluegrass music can certainly expect great things from Amanda Cook, who brings us her earthy and wildly artistic album Restless Soul. This is her fifth record from Mountain Fever where she’s worn many hats; recording artist, engineer, and now CFO.  Her fourth studio album Changes debuted #1 on the Bluegrass Billboard Charts…