Reviews

BOJ OSBORNE IN THE TRADITION Rocky Top X-Press Records RTX-0001 Boj Osborne debuts with an album somewhat centered in sound created by his mandolin-playing father and banjo-playing uncle, hence the album’s title, but one that also goes its own way quite a bit, which is, of course, also part of his family’s tradition. Wondering how…

BLUEGRASS 43 THE WITCH No Label Si-Sol7/4 Since Bluegrass 43 has not had a new recording on the market since 1989, a brief re-introduction seems in order. Formed in 1977 in France, the group has had at least two previous CDs to their name—Country Swing and Old Old Truck—and currently consists of bassist/vocalist Alain Audras,…

RUSS CARSON LAST CHANCE Patuxent Music CD 219 This first recording by young Mr. Carson is an aural treat. Instead of hammering away on a dozen warhorses, he digs deep into tradition, creating contemporary versions of some older tunes with some powerfully good help. The title tune is an older piece he probably learned from…

MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY TALL GRASS & COOL WATER Rural Rhythm RUR-1077 There has always been a connection between bluegrass/Appalachian music and the cowboy music of the Old West. Many of the same songs and fiddle tunes written centuries ago in Ireland, Scotland and Britain made their way out West and were adopted and adapted over…

JOHN BOWMAN FAMILY CHAIN: THE SONGS OF JOE ISAACS Pisgah Ridge PR13682 Why the gospel songs of Joe Isaacs have not been better covered by bluegrass bands defies understanding. Lack of quality of composition can’t be the reason, nor can lack of name recognition, and yet the fact remains. Enter John Bowman, who has taken…

NELL ROBINSON ON THE BROOKLYN ROAD Red Level No Number Nell Robinson is the stage name of Hilary Perkins, and this is her second CD on which Nell performs with many of the best musicians in the West: John Reischman and the Jaybirds, Tony Marcus, Chad Manning, Laurie Lewis (who co-wrote “Wahatchee” with Nell), Rob…