Reviews

MARK STRUHSACKER COLD OUTSIDE No Label No Number Appreciating a recording such as this is easy. From the first track to the last, we’re treated to honest and basic and good music. With the exception of track ten, titled “Evening,” a mildly, rambunctious Louvin-style mandolin/guitar/vocal duet looking at the joys of the gathering night, nothing…

CRAVER, HICKS, WATSON & NEWBERRY YOU’VE BEEN A FRIEND TO ME Barker Records, No Number    Three of these folks were members of the Red Clay Ramblers, and Joe Newberry (whose song “Singing As We Rise” just won an IBMA award) is a fun guy, too. You can hear that distilled fun on this new CD….

RACHEL BURGE DON’T YOU WORRY ABOUT ME No Label No Number    Music veteran Buddy Griffin’s wonderful bluegrass program at Glenville State College in West Virginia has produced a fine array of bluegrass musicians over the years, Lizzy Long to name one. Now, another graduate, Rachel Burge, has stepped out to make her solo debut album…

I DRAW SLOW REDHILLS Pinecastle Records PRC1178 The Irish band I Draw Slow has been getting a lot of buzz lately. Their new album Redhills, on the resurrected Pinecastle label, showcases the group’s blend of bluegrass, Celtic and old-time music. The group is made up of Louise Holden, Dave Holden, Adrian Hart, Konrad Liddy, and…

PAUL WILLIAMS & THE VICTORY TRIO GOING TO STAY IN THE OLD TIME WAY Rebel Records REB-CD-1852 Paul Williams continues his arc to becoming one of the greatest gospel figures in bluegrass music. His background is well known. He was a mainstay of a classic edition of Jimmy Martin & the Sunny Mountain Boys, playing…

WAYWARD VESSEL BEFORE THE GREY No Label No Number Is there an emerging style that we can call “alternative bluegrass?” Bands such as Crooked Still, Mountain Heart, and Old Crow Medicine Show come immediately to mind. The alternative bluegrass sound is not the high, lonesome variety of Bill Monroe or the Stanley Brothers. It doesn’t…