Reviews

THE FARWELLS: DEBRA CLIFFORD AND BECCA WINTLE Tin Halo No Number Debra Clifford is known as half of the Lonesome Sisters and as a member of Old Buck. She met Becca Wintle in the U.K., though Wintle had already immersed herself in American old-time music. They both sing lead and harmony and play guitar. Wintle…

ASHLEIGH CAUDILL LOONEY BIRD No Label No Number    Caudill is a songwriter who also plays a mean bass and clawhammer banjo. She demonstrates her stuff on this project that’s surrounded by a who’s who of pickers. She is currently working in Nashville and has a sense of style that is unique and beyond categorization. Caudill’s…

CINDY G JAILBREAK Blue Road Records CD02-053015 Cindy G’s (last name Giedja) new CD offers ten original songs and two covers, one of them a fairly standard but nicely-done version of “Sitting On Top Of The World” and one a slow, Southern Rock take on “Ruby, Are You Mad,” which gives a new slant on…

BIG VIRGINIA SKY No Label No Number On their website, Big Virginia Sky describes themselves as a “bluegrass-influenced Americana group,” and that seems like a fair way to approach this group and their debut recording after about three years together. At the forefront of the group are James Adkins, his guitar, singing, and songwriting. Scott…

VALERIE SMITH THE HUMAN CONDITION Bell Buckle Records No Number If you’re familiar with Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, you already know the powerful punch of versatility that her voice can travel. She demonstrates that creative stretching with her singing on The Human Condition. Through her unique spin on this collection of cover songs, Smith…

GREG BLAKE SONGS OF HEART AND HOME No Label GBM 2015001 Greg Blake, the fine lead singer and guitarist with Jeff Scroggins & Colorado and a West Virginia transplant, has released his first solo effort, and the results are very impressive. He’s joined by a top-flight lineup of supporting musicians including Scroggins on banjo, John…