Reviews

BANJOIST DAVID DEESE: BLUEGRASS BOY TO BRIARHOPPER (AN UNFINISHED BIOGRAPHY) BY PAT J. AHRENS Self Published, No Number. (Pat Ahrens, 6708 Vanwood Dr., Columbia, SC 29206, www.patahrens.com) David Deese may not be a household name in many bluegrass households, but he was right there in the thick of it. Winning several prestigious banjo contests early…

KAREN LYNNE SHINE YOUR LIGHT Shoestring SR 104 Karen Lynne waited a long time and came a great distance (from Australia to Nashville) to record this gospel record. The results should make her feel that the wait and the journey were worth it. Go immediately to the third track, “Coat Of Many Colors” (a duet…

CHRIS JONES AND THE NIGHTDRIVERS LONELY COMES EASY Rebel Records REB-CD-1847 Chris Jones has evolved over time into a singer who, almost always, gives his best performances in tempos ranging from medium and lilting on down to slow and expressive. Equally important, his song choices in those ranges are most successful when cloaked in a…

SCOTT HOPKINS No Label No number Scott Hopkins seems to be ready to add his name to the growing list of hot young banjo players. Based in Albany, N.Y., and currently performing with resonator guitar wizard Junior Barber’s band, Hopkins took to the road and recorded this CD of 11 predominantly original songs and tunes…

THE ROSENTHALS FLY AWAY American Melody AM-CD-5127 Father and son bring music from their diverse worlds together on The Rosenthals’ first recording Fly Away. Phil Rosenthal, who was the longtime singer/guitarist for the Seldom Scene and a highly respected banjo and mandolin player, joins his son, jazz trumpeter/composer Daniel Rosenthal, on this 14-cut disc. Although…

HAMMERTOWNE Mountain Fever Records MFR130409 Blessed with strong voices, above average picking skills, and some real talented songwriters, Hammertowne has come up with a fine recording. Six of the eleven tracks are originals, and all are strong. “Cherokee Maiden” is written to the melody of the fiddle tune “Cherokee Shuffle.” The vocals are all spot-on,…