Reviews

THE SPINNEY BROTHERS NO BORDERS Mountain Fever Records MFR130423 Bluegrass music has its many flavors, and groups like the Gibson Brothers have proven that folks from the North can make an impact on the genre. But while the Gibson Brothers are from upstate New York, the Spinney Brothers are from even farther up that way,…

SUTTON, HOLT & COLEMAN READY FOR THE TIMES High Windy HW 1264 The influence of the late Doc Watson on bluegrass, folk, old-time, country, and flatpicking guitar cannot be overstated. His joy, musicality, and overall brilliance helped open acoustic music to generations of listeners dazzled by his sleight-of-hand guitar work, warm and engaging vocals, and…

VW BOYS LISTEN TO THE MUSIC Mountain Music Recordings MMR-1016 Like me, your first exposure to the VW Boys, a bluegrass and comedy act, may have been their small but eye-catching (to say the least) ads here in Bluegrass Unlimited showing the trio shoulder to shoulder with a plumber’s helper plunged through their collective ears….

BIG COUNTRY BLUEGRASS MEMORIES OF THE PAST Rebel Records REB-CD-1848 For nearly thirty years now, Big Country Bluegrass has played and recorded unabashed, straight-ahead traditional bluegrass music. I’m all for the roots and branches of the genre—progressive and otherwise. Still, it’s cool to hear a band who doesn’t just throw a hard-driving traditional tune into…

TATER PATCH OLD-TIME COUNTRY MUSIC No Label No Number Tater Patch has been playing out of the State of Delaware for more than thirty years. Their current personnel includes Judy Hough-Goldstein, fiddle; Marge Sume, fiddle, banjo uke, vocals; Tony Sume, guitar and vocals; Shel Sandler, banjo; and Richard Gordon, bass. This CD has 18 tunes…

JEFF SCROGGINS & COLORADO WESTERN BRANCHES No Label No Number Jeff Scroggins heads up a wonderful and talented group that includes himself (banjo), son Tristan Scroggins (mandolin), Greg Blake (guitar), Annie Savage (fiddle), KC Groves (bass), and guest Sally Van Meter (resonator guitar). Lead vocals are primarily performed by Blake, but Savage and Groves contribute…