Reviews

RALPH STANLEY II BORN TO BE A DRIFTER Stanley Generation Records SGRCD 2011-02 Many bluegrass fans undoubtedly recall Ralph Stanley II as a young child, joining his legendary father and the Clinch Mountain Boys on stage, and later from his tenure in the band as the lead singer and guitar player. Given that background, one…

JIMMY GAUDREAU & MOONDI KLEIN HOME FROM THE MILLS Rebel Records REB-CD-1843 It’s the mark of master musicians that they can play and sing with power, strong intonation, and rock-solid timing, yet, if they choose, produce lovely and even gently beautiful music. Mandolinist/vocalist Jimmy Gaudreau and guitarist/vocalist Moondi Klein are masters, and their talents have…

DAILEY & VINCENT TEACH BLUEGRASS AND GOSPEL QUARTET SINGING—TAUGHT BY JAMIE DAILEY AND DARRIN VINCENT WITH JEFF PARKER AND CHRISTIAN DAVIS—Homespun 9781597733342. One DVD, $29.95. (Homespun Video, P.O. Box 694, Woodstock, NY 12498, www.homespuntapes.com.) The tradition of quartet singing in bluegrass goes back to the first generation bands and carries on today, with most bands…

CIRCA BLUE No Label No Number It isn’t often you get to begin a bluegrass album review by talking about Latin.  But Circa Blue’s name says it all. Circa by definition means “around” or “about,” as mentioned in the CD liner notes, and that is certainly the best way to describe the content. The West…

CARRIE HASSLER THE DISTANCE Rural Rhythm RUR-1092 Carrie Hassler has a beautiful voice, one that is expressive and versatile, running from smooth to sultry to bluesy to chin-up shoulders-back powerful. All those qualities illustrate this, her third recording, her first since 2008, and first without her group, Hard Rain. Hassler jumps on it right at…

BRAND NEW STRINGS STAY TUNED Rural Rhythm RUR-1098 Brand New Strings is definitely banking on packing a powerful punch in a small package. With the release of their second album Stay Tuned, it’s a pretty good bet to make. But, BNS has been on a long continous roll since forming in 2008, winning the SPBGMA…