Reviews

JAKE SCHEPPS QUINTET ENTWINED Fine Mighty Records 1004 As the title implies, this new project from the Jake Schepps Quintet is a musical conglomeration that takes intriguing twists and turns with the quintessential bluegrass combo of banjo, mandolin, guitar, violin, and bass. Schepps turned to several composers who struck his fancy to write classic music…

CEDAR HILL MISS DIXIE, TOM T. AND ME Blue Circle Records BCR-042 When a band comes within the orbit of Blue Circle Records, it reaps the benefits of access to the masterful songwriting of Tom T. and the late Dixie Hall. Cedar Hill has been in that orbit since 2007. This is their fourth album…

ROBERT EARL KEEN HAPPY PRISONER: THE BLUEGRASS SESSIONS Dualtone Records 80302-01685-27 Keen is a gifted Texas singer/songwriter in the tradition of Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and Lyle Lovett. Even though he’s never before made a full bluegrass album in his thirty-plus-year recording career, he grew up around bluegrass and loves it. And, as his…

RONNIE RENO LESSONS LEARNED Rural Rhythm RUR-1030 The mood of Ronnie Reno’s latest is thoughtful, sentimental at times, wistful at others, the presentation relaxed. Nothing feels hurried. That includes the solos from Mike Scott on banjo, John Maberry on mandolin and Steve Day on fiddle. Several of the songs are at a quick tempo so,…

SPRINGFIELD EXIT THAT WAS THEN Patuxent Music Patuxent CD-268 Having three former members of the ultra-traditional Johnson Mountain Boys would seem to indicate that Springfield Exit might follow suit. While David McLaughlin, Tom Adams, and Marshall Wilborn do tilt it in the traditional direction at times, particularly McLaughlin’s Monroe-style mandolin, the ultimate product has more…

DOUG FLOWERS AND FRIENDS Melody Roundup No Number Doug Flowers is a bluegrass veteran who has played with and befriended many in our industry over the years. He’s performed with Little Roy Lewis and Lizzy Long and has been providing some excellent mandolin playing and harmony vocals with Clinton Gregory’s recent bluegrass resurrection. On this…