Reviews
Greener Grass
Billy Swinson is a bluegrass artist that has been playing and writing music for a couple of decades and has now stepped up his game with his first solo project and the help of resophonic guitar player Randy Kohrs. Swinson, a Florida resident, wrote eight of the ten tracks and contributes the mandolin breaks and…
The Uk & Ireland Dobro Celebration
Every once in a while, a new recording comes out and piques your interest. This collection of songs by various Dobro players from the UK and Ireland is one such recording. Chris Eaton, a fine Dobro player from the UK, attended Rob Ickes’ Reso Summit in November of 2022 and was so inspired by the…
Coulee Creek
Coulee Creek features singer-songwriter Sarah Jackson and poet Rita Mae Reese. The group also includes Beth Becker (fiddle, cello), Michael James (resonator guitar), David Strudthoff (banjo), Tom Baker (guitar, bass), and Cori Vought (vocals). Guest artists are Brett Huus (harmonica), Terry Nirva (cajon), and Josh Rabie (mandolin). Most of them hail from the Wisconsin/Minnesota area…
Ballad Hunting with Max Hunter – Stories of an Ozark Folksong Collector,
University of Illinois Press Although not as well-known as the Southeastern United States, the Ozarks region of Missouri and Arkansas has long been a hotbed of fine old-time fiddling, folk ballad singing, and bluegrass music. One of the primary reasons that so many ballads and tunes from the Ozarks have been faithfully preserved over the…
Kentucky For Me
What a gift multi-IBMA “Female Vocalist of the Year” Award-winner Dale Ann Bradley’s voice is. At times, she sounds like a wonderful combination of Dolly Parton and a female Keith Whitely. On her latest album, which is a true masterpiece, she’s upped the ante by bringing in an array of other ultra-talented singers, including Larry…
A Little Bit of Bluegrass
Lorraine Jordan and her band Carolina Road have maintained a solid presence in traditional bluegrass for decades, championing the genre’s essential elements while introducing and welcoming many new fans to the party. With their latest album, they deliver the talent and consistency we’ve come to expect. Released last fall on Pinecastle Records (Jordan’s seventh for…