Reviews
THE EASY RAMBLERS, COUNTRY LIVIN’
THE EASY RAMBLERS COUNTRY LIVIN’ No Label No number The Easy Ramblers are a trio based in Syracuse, N.Y., and Country Livin’ is their second release. Most of their songs are written by guitarist Eddie Zacholl and sung by mandolinist Maureen Henesey, with bassist Dann Mather rounding out the band. Their promo material hints at…
STEVE MARTIN AND THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS
STEVE MARTIN AND THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS FEATURING EDIE BRICKELL LIVE Rounder Records 116618846 Put this halfway between a twofer and a onefer. You do get two discs (a CD and a DVD), but they’re both of the same show, so call it a one-and-a-halfer. Actually, it’s a little more complicated than that. The DVD…
INVENTING THE AMERICAN GUITAR
INVENTING THE AMERICAN GUITAR: THE PRE-CIVIL WAR INNOVATIONS OF C.F. MARTIN AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES EDITED BY ROBERT SHAW AND PETER SZEGO Hal Leonard 9781458405760. Hardcover, 310 pp., $50. (Hal Leonard, P.O. Box 13819, Milwaukee, WI 53213, www.halleonard.com.) If you love old guitars, you’d better clear some space on your coffee table, because you’ll want this…
THE RAILSPLITTERS
THE RAILSPLITTERS No Label No Number Once in a while, a debut project from a regional band will rise above the rest and stand out as one to pay attention to. The Railsplitters from Colorado certainly has caught my ears. This new project features strong songwriting, instrumental prowess, and expertly blended vocals. The band consists…
ALLEGHENY DRIFTERS, CLIMB HEAVEN’S LADDER
ALLEGHENY DRIFTERS CLIMB HEAVEN’S LADDER No Label, TAD-603 This is the first all gospel project from the Drifters, a Pittsburgh, Pa.-based band. Longtime fans of bluegrass will be familiar with the name Bob Artis, a mandolin player and author of one of the early books on bluegrass. He is joined by the rest of the…
BLUEGRASS JAZZ GUITAR, VOLUME 1 & 2
BLUEGRASS JAZZ GUITAR, VOLUME 1—TAUGHT BY BARRY SOLOMON—MB30203BCD 9780786685639. Includes three CDs, $24.95. BLUEGRASS JAZZ GUITAR, VOLUME 2—TAUGHT BY BARRY SOLOMON—MB30472BCD 9780786685646. Includes three CDs, $24.95. (Stefan Grossman’s Guitar Workshop, P.O. Box 802, Sparta, NJ 07871, www.guitarvideos.com.) For the longest time, jazz and bluegrass music have had parallel paths that often converged. For example, Kenny…