Reviews

JOHN MAILANDER WALKING DISTANCE No Label No Number    This young fiddler has surrounded himself with top-flight players capable of highlighting his fine work and exploring all of the avenues his interests have lead him down. In eight tunes, Mailander explores paths bluegrass and old-time paths with a touch of Celtic thrown in for good…

THE LONESOME ACE STRINGBAND OLD TIME No Label, No Number    The Lonesome Ace Stringband comprises Chris Coole on banjo, Max Heineman on bass, and John Showman on fiddle. All three sing. They open with a haunting original fiddle tune by Showman, “Hold Your Lying Tongue.” Showman also wrote “Gauley Junction,” which is played in a…

THE ROYS THE VIEW Rural Rhythm RUR 1120    Since their 2011 recording debut this brother-sister duo has captured the hearts and minds of bluegrass fans while scoring a slew of awards and chart-topping bluegrass hits along the way. On The View, Lee’s and Elaine’s fourth album, they have really taken some bold steps in…

MAMA CORN HOLD THAT CROOKED LINE No Label No number    Mama Corn is a lively five-piece band centered around State College, Pa., in the north-central part of the state. On Hold That Crooked Line, their second release, they lean heavily on their original material to showcase their freewheeling take on bluegrass music. Like with…

MICHAEL BARNETT ONE SONG ROMANCE Compass Records 4624    Virtuosity is its own reward. When achieved, it swirls about and spins a spell over the listener, drawing them in and whirling them through the thrill of it all. Barnett speaks with three voices here; his songs, his fiddle, and his voice. He’s accompanied by his former…

LAURIE AND KATHY SING THE SONGS OF VERN AND RAY  Spruce and Maple Music SMM 1012 Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick are paying tribute to one of the grittiest and greatest duets to ever play bluegrass, Vern Williams and Ray Park. The ladies set aside any niceties and get down to it with some of…