Reviews

BYRON BERLINE THANKS BILL MONROE Double Stop Music No Number Byron Berline played fiddle with Mr. Monroe for a spell in the 1960s, recording “Virginia Darlin’,” “Sally Goodun,” and “Gold Rush” during his tenure. About the same time, he recorded an all fiddle tune album with the Dillards and with these recordings, he became one…

RAWHIDE THE DARK IS BARKING No Label RP1003 European bluegrass bands are known for having some great chops and this group is no different. Hailing from Belgium, Rawhide has produced a nice project of selections pulling from a variety of genres and sources, including Kiss, Creedence Clearwater, Mamas & Papas, Men At Work, Doobie Brothers,…

ROBIN & LINDA WILLIAMS THESE OLD DARK HILLS Redhouse Records CD 256 The Virginia-based husband-and-wife duo Robin & Linda Williams, best known in recent years for their frequent appearances on the radio show Prairie Home Companion, are masters of contemporary Americana. In their own unique way, they have incorporated elements of rural folk, country, and…

THE JIMMY HAYNES BAND STILL HANGIN’ ON No Label No Number After opening their debut recording with a lush, medium tempo cover of Harley Allen’s “All In God’s Plan,” I kept waiting for the Jimmy Haynes Band to jump into high gear. But as each medium and slow song gave way to the next, I’d…

LONESOME RIVER BAND CHRONOLOGY VOLUME TWO Rural Rhythm RUR-1102 This is the second of three CDs planned to celebrate this popular ensemble’s thirtieth anniversary. Led by Sammy Shelor, multi-winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association Banjo Player Of The Year honors, the band continues to garner accolades. Shelor is joined by guitarist and singer Brandon…

BALSAM RANGE PAPERTOWN Mountain Home MH14042 The title songs of each of their last two recordings reached number one for a time on the bluegrass charts; one of them, “Trains I’ve Missed,” earning an IBMA Song Of The Year award. Can Balsam Range make it three-for-three? That’s a tall order, but “Papertown” the song, essentially…