Reviews

DOC WATSON THE GUITAR ARTISTRY OF DOC WATSON Vestapol 13130 There never will be someone like Doc Watson again. A man of high integrity, inspirational talent, and a positive force on all of those who met him and heard or saw him perform. The first time this writer saw him perform was almost fifty years…

CINDY G THE ROAD Blue Road Records CD01-073112    Cindy G is a songwriter, singer, and mandolinist from central New Jersey who calls what she does “bluegrass with a twist.” But TheRoad is really a fairly straightforward bluegrass album that eschews most of the standards, with the exception of respectful versions of “Wayfaring Stranger” and…

STEEP RAVINE TRAMPIN’ ON No Label No Number Whether you’re listening to traditional or progressive bluegrass, it can be difficult to find new music that isn’t highly derivative. So, after listening to this CD fronted by the clear wispy tenor voice of Simon Linsteadt (lead singer, principal songwriter, and guitarist of the California-based quartet Steep…

CRAIG MORRIS TWIX ’N TWEEN No Label No Number This is Morris’ follow-up to his Banjology CD from 2011. We are treated to well-done versions of bluegrass classics along with a few old-time fiddle tunes and “Little Sadie,” largely associated with the late Doc Watson. Kicking off the project with Earl Scruggs’ “Foggy Mountain Chimes,”…

VARIOUS ARTISTS MUSIC FROM THE SOUTH Vestapol 13131 Mining a deep catalog is a win-win for the company and for collectors of older music and videos. Some of these old clips were released on scattered disc before. The music collected here gives the viewer a chance to see a wide range of American indigenous music…

CHARLSEY ETHERIDGE MEMORIES OF MINE No Label No Number Etheridge is a Georgia native who relocated to Nashville, where she soon found herself working with Steve Wariner and the late Harley Allen and opened for such acts as Little Big Town. This CD is her first solo project and includes co-producers Randy Kohrs (resonator guitar),…