Reviews

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…

ERYNN MARSHALL & CARL JONES SWEET MEMORIES NEVER LEAVE Dittyville 006 Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones both have deep roots in traditional music. Erynn is Canadian, but spent many years learning from West Virginia and Kentucky fiddlers. Carl has played with Norman Blake, James Bryan, Beverly Smith, and many others. Both also compose new tunes…

GRANDPA’S COUGH MEDICINE 180 PROOF No Label No Number Grandpa’s Cough Medicine’s new album 180 Proof is rip-roaring, rowdy, and fun. But, let me be clear right off the bat. There is such a thing as “outlaw bluegrass,” the Earl Brothers being another good example, and the music of Grandpa’s Cough Medicine is truly on…