Reviews

JASON DAVIS SECOND TIME AROUND Mountain Fever Records MFR130625 On this the second solo release from current Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice banjoist Jason Davis, there are numerous tracks on which the music is as powerful and engrossing as anything in bluegrass today. On those tracks, Davis and his band of guests get you in…

JAMES KING THREE CHORDS AND THE TRUTH Rounder Records 11661-9134-2 If you ever meet someone who wants to understand the appeal of bluegrass and country music, play them this record. The album title, taken from a line from Harlan Howard, says it all. It’s the stories. Yes, they may be stretched a bit and, yes,…

GRAYSON COUNTY DAREDEVILS STAGGERIN’ BLUES Mountain Roads MMR 1018    Playing music with long-time friends is a bit like putting on gloves that fit perfectly. Jerry Correll and Tom Mylet have been playing together for more than forty years and, in this band, they are joined by Kyle Dean Smith plus family and friends for their…

LOCUST RIDGE HEALED Rural Rhythm Christian RCH-2019 About the only thing missing from this debut gospel recording by the east Tennessee quartet Locust Ridge is a rousing stand-up-and-shout number—the kind that rattles the pews. The closest they come are “Silver And Gold” and their cover of the public domain tune “Oh, I Want To See…

DONNA ULISSE SHOWING MY ROOTS Hadley Music Group HMG 1012 This new release from Donna is a tribute to some of her roots and influences she experienced as she grew up and developed her own career. In the opening cut, “Showing My Roots,” Donna gets a chance to salute some of the many writers and…

THE KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS LIVE WKIC RECORDING FROM 1949 Mountain Broadcasting System 2012 Every once in a while, a CD project will surface that shows a little bit of the history of country and bluegrass music, although this band was more in line with the post World War II country and western style of the late…