Reviews

HAMMERTOWNE HIGHWAYS & HEARTACHES Mountain Fever Records MFR150414 Impressive in many ways is the mostly band-written second recording from eastern Kentucky’s Hammertowne. You can start with their overall sound, one that is highly ordered, very clean. Banjoist Brent Pack, mandolinist Chaston Carroll, guitarists Scott Tackett and Dave Carroll, and bassist Bryan Russell together forge a…

SONGS FROM THE ROAD BAND TRAVELING SHOW  Lucks Dumpy Toad Records 1003    The Songs From The Road Band began back in 2004 as a showcase for the songwriting of Charles R. Humphrey III, bassist of the Steep Canyon Rangers. Despite focusing their attention on other groups, they reliably release a strong album every five or…

DALE ANN BRADLEY POCKET FULL OF KEYS  Pinecastle Records PRC1196 My first taste for most of the music on this CD was sampled in person at the Station Inn in Nashville at Dale Ann Bradley’s CD release party. While it’s hard to beat a live performance, her latest project certainly captures that live feel. Her…

STEVE GULLEY AND NEW PINNACLE Rural Rhythm RUR-1127 Relationship trouble, trouble, and more trouble. Such is the underlying thread as Steve Gulley debuts his group, New Pinnacle. Only an original instrumental, a declamatory “You Can’t Take Jesus Away,” and a medium-tempo grinding take on Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away” stand in opposition. The Louvins’ “Every…

PHARIS & JASON ROMERO A WANDERER I’LL STAY Lula Records Lula1504 To my ears, vocal duets often succeed when the voices blend so seamlessly they sound as one. The notes come together naturally, finding harmonic precision and a matching tone that helps to propel the story and evoke emotion. Pharis and Jason Romero have mastered…

TYLER WILLIAMS HEART OVER MIND No Label No Number From Ohio by way of East Tennessee State University, Tyler Williams debuts with a pleasing and varied 12-song mix that includes four Mark Brinkman originals, a couple of standards, and several well-chosen covers. Though he plays guitar and piano and writes songs, Williams’ role here is…