Reviews

THE JAKOB’S FERRY STRAGGLERS THE LANE CHANGE No Label No Number There seems to be an influx of new young bands that blur the lines between bluegrass and old-time music. The Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers, a southwestern Pennsylvania quartet that emerged from the remnants of a self-described “Appalachian power trio” called The Weedrags, manages to carve…

BARNSTAR! SIT DOWN! GET UP! GET OUT! Signature Sounds No Number There are times when it makes perfect sense to categorize a singer or band in a particular genre. In some cases, as with Barnstar!, the artistry can’t be pigeonholed. Zachariah Hickman (bassist for Josh Ritter and musical director for Ray Lamontagne) started the quintet…

DARIN & BROOKE ALDRIDGE SNAPSHOTS Mountain Home MH15762 This fine release shows the ever-growing depth of this fine duo and their very talented band. Their reach for new material has taken them far and wide. From Gillian Welch to Uncle Dave Macon to the old pop standard “Let It Be Me.” Their band is in…

THE CHUCK WAGON GANG COMPLETE RECORDINGS, 1936-1955 Bear Family BCD 17348    Today’s Chuck Wagon Gang offers some of the best down-home, soul-stretching gospel singing there is, at least in the country/bluegrass universe. This year marks the eightieth anniversary of the original quartet’s 1935 debut on KFYO in Lubbock, Texas. In 1936, they moved to WBAP…

ROSIN IN THE AIRE GOOD TIMES IN THE HOMELAND Rita Records 0102    Eighty-nine percent of the second recording from Rosin In The Aire is recycled material. They say it’s ninety-four percent, but sixteen of eighteen rounds up to eighty-nine percent. Does it matter? Not one bit. It’s just an intro and a way of…

SNYDER FAMILY BAND WHEREVER I WANDER Mountain Home MH15862 In many ways, this new album should be a coming out party for the Snyder Family Band. Family groups filled with young musicians can be fun, yet cute. But, the members of the Snyder Family, out of Lexington, N.C., have reached a level of bluegrass virtuosity…