Reviews
ZOE & CLOYD (NATALYA ZOE WEINSTEIN & JOHN CLOYD MILLER), EQUINOX
ZOE & CLOYD (NATALYA ZOE WEINSTEIN & JOHN CLOYD MILLER) EQUINOX Z&C Records ZC01 This intriguing duo recording, with packaging reminiscent of an early Folkways recording, comes from a young couple from Asheville, N.C. They manage to capture that label’s vibe by conveying the haunting simplicity of the music they love, playing straightforward and sincere…
BLUESTONE, WHAT GOES ON
BLUESTONE WHAT GOES ON Patuxent Music CD-272 Now and then, a band will release a new project that really makes me sit up and take notice; this is one of those occasions. Bluestone has been around for about twenty years and, to my knowledge, has three previous releases. They are now recording for Tom Mindte’s…
JOSHUA PALMER, MET-A-COG-NI-TION
JOSHUA PALMER MET-A-COG-NI-TION Patuxent Music CD-269 Joshua Palmer is a very talented young man from Owl’s Hollow, Alabama and has developed an interesting, fluid, and clean mandolin style. On this mostly original project, Palmer exhibits some great songwriting and arranging, but he also expresses a sensitive vocal style. He’s joined on this project by Andy…
LAURA ORSHAW, SONGS OF LOST YESTERDAYS
LAURA ORSHAW LAURA ORSHAW SONGS OF LOST YESTERDAYS No Label No Number Laura Orshaw’s new solo project features a collection of tunes from sources such as Charlie Moore, Hazel Dickens, Norman Blake, Peter Rowan, Leroy Drumm, and others. She also offers a couple of her own tunes. Selections include Moore’s “Cotton Farmer,” Blake’s “Uncle,” Dickens’…
NOTHING BUT SKY
DELTA REIGN NOTHING BUT SKY Travianna Records TR150407 This is easy listening bluegrass. The band simmers along with some sweet songs delivered in an unhurried style featuring Belinda Murphy’s vocals. On the fourth cut, they go up-tempo and drive into “Nothing But Sky,” a very catchy song. They dig in and get to the old…
BUD’S COLLECTIVE
BUD’S COLLECTIVE No Label No Number A quartet originally from West Virginia, Bud’s Collective delivers an uneven, eponymous album full of both high and low points. Formed in 2012, the young group has experienced some success. They placed second at SPBGMA in 2013 and won the D.C. Bluegrass Union’s Mid-Atlantic Band Competition. The band also…