Reviews
SI KAHN AND THE LOOPING BROTHERS, ARAGON MILL: THE BLUEGRASS SESSIONS
SI KAHN AND THE LOOPING BROTHERS ARAGON MILL: THE BLUEGRASS SESSIONS Strictly Country Records SCR-72 American songwriter Si Kahn and Europe’s Looping Brothers trio have joined forces to produce a project of Kahn’s compositions, including his most known “Aragon Mill” and “Wild Rose Of The Mountain.” Kahn is a folk singer/songwriter best known for his…
THE VELVET BLUE MEMORIES AND HEARTACHES
THE VELVET BLUE MEMORIES AND HEARTACHES No Label No Number The Velvet Blue is a relatively new band out of Hillsboro, Ky. Formed in 2012, the band is Brian Cooper on guitar and lead vocals, Carrie Johnson on bass and lead vocals, Taylor Hampton on mandolin, and Megan McKamey on banjo and harmony. Their debut…
THE RIGNEYS, DOUBLE OR NOTHING
THE RIGNEYS DOUBLE OR NOTHING Dark Shadow Recording 201303 For their third CD, The Rigneys have found a supportive home with producer Stephen Mougin’s Dark Shadow Recording. Mougin programmed eleven songs (five originals and six recently-written covers), ping-ponging among a diverse array of musical settings. At times, we’re presented with a propulsive stomper dominated by…
RICHARD CIFERSKY, COMING BACK FOR MORE
RICHARD CIFERSKY COMING BACK FOR MORE Velvet Music No number Richard Cifersky is a banjoist based in Slovakia. Formerly a member of the band Fragment, he’s toured both in Europe and the U.S. with Dale Ann Bradley, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, and Gold Heart. On this, his third solo album, he follows the template…
NEWTOWN, TIME MACHINE
NEWTOWN TIME MACHINE Pisgah Ridge PR 15032 This eminently talented Lexington, Ky.-based band is simply a delight. NewTown’s sound is largely framed around powerful lead vocals from husband and wife team Kati Penn-Williams (vocals and fiddle) and Jr. Williams (vocals and banjo). Also key to the band’s immense appeal is the inspired songwriting of guitarist…
JOEL MABUS, PEPPER’S GHOST & OTHER BANJO VISITATIONS
JOEL MABUS PEPPER’S GHOST & OTHER BANJO VISITATIONS Fossil Records #2313 Joel Mabus has always been sort of a musical freak of nature, one who is not easily pigeonholed or categorized. A brilliant songwriter and singer, he is also a gifted storyteller and a very adept instrumentalist on old-time banjo and bluegrass guitar. Check out…