Reviews

DOC & MERLE AN INTIMATE DOCUMENTARY Vestapol 13044 There have been several reaches back into the past of roots music legends in recent years, as studios and labels have come to realize the power of history. The staggered release of the old Flatt & Scruggs TV shows are a prime example of celluloid gold for…

MIKE COMPTON ROTTEN TATERS No Label No Number Not even Bill Monroe, who Mike Compton has studied and absorbed for most of his musical life, ever recorded a solo mandolin CD. But that’s what Compton has achieved here. Well, not exactly a solo mandolin CD, because Mike sings along with his beautiful Paul Duff mandolin…

TOSHIO WATANABE THE FICTION TWINS Red Clay Records RC-126 Sometimes another person’s perspective acts as a mirror to our music. Toshio Watanabe has made a spot-on recording capturing the instrumental nuances of the Monroe Brothers’ duet recordings. His mandolin and guitar playing sound just like the originals. This is a wonderful throwback to another time….

WOOD & WIRE No Label No Number In recent years, acoustic/folk-based bands like Mumford & Sons, the Avett Brothers, and the Lumineers, have captured a surprisingly large share of the modern music stage. Not surprisingly, some bands with a more bluegrass edge have eyed that success and seen opportunities to expand their own musical bases…

JOHN REISCHMAN WALK ALONG JOHN Corvus Records CR020    No one makes a mandolin sound better than John Reischman. Never flashy or ostentatious, Reischman has this sonic sorcerer’s ability to play the right note or phrase at just the right place with exquisite taste and tone. California-born Reischman has built an exceedingly long and impressive career…

DIX BRUCE & JULIE CLINE LOOK AT IT RAIN Musix CD 110 Dix Bruce is no stranger to guitarists and mandolinists. Known as a prolific writer/producer of literally dozens of instructional books, CDs, and DVDs, most of his performing outlet in recent years has been as the duo partner with guitarist Jim Nunally. But, here…