Reviews

JOE MULLINS & THE RADIO RAMBLER ANOTHER DAY FROM LIFE Rebel Records REB-CD-1859    Those familiar with the recent concert DVD of Joe Mullins saw four-fifths of this current lineup in a performance that featured guitarist/vocalist Duane Sparks early in his band tenure. Sparks has since blended confidently into his role as the principal lead…

SWEETWATER STRING BAND RIVER OF RHYMES No Label No Number    I’ve always loved the different versions of bluegrass that come from around the world and from different parts of America. Yes, there’s always the need for the traditional fires to be kept burning in the bluegrass world. But, a hundred different versions of “John…

CARROLL BEST AND THE WHITE OAK STRING BAND No label No Number    These are field recordings from Hayward County, North Carolina in the 1950s. They are interesting as they reflect the music the musicians most wanted to play and not necessarily the tunes the collector wanted for his research. They capture the time when…

TRUMAN’S RIDGE LOUISIANA SWING No Label No Number    This is the fourth release from Truman’s Ridge. There are 14 tracks. Eight are band originals, while among the remaining six tracks are two Bill Monroe songs (“Dark As The Night And Blue As The Day,” and “Blue And Lonesome”), the “Red Hen Boogie” and the…

ALAN MUNDE & BILLY BRIGHT BRIGHT MUNDE Munde’s Child Records MCR004    Picture yourself sitting at your kitchen table with a nice cup of coffee. On one side is Billy Bright with his mandolin and mandola. On the other side is Alan Munde with his banjo. You get the full stereo effect as they start…

CROWE, LAWSON & WILLIAMS STANDING TALL AND TOUGH Mountain Home MH15022    Following on the success of their first release Old Friends Get Together, J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson, and Paul Williams have released another fine collection of 12 songs with solid instrumental support and sterling vocal work. This offering features Lawson on guitar, Williams on…