Reviews

THOMAS PORTER AND COPPER RIVER BAND TROLLEY DAYS No Label TKPIV003 How many of the 12 originals by guitarist Thomas Porter (two co-written with fiddler Doug Bartlett) will become bluegrass classics? Given the whims of the music business, the odds are long any of them will. Right now, you’re probably thinking it is too early…

BUDDY GREENE HARMONICA ANTHOLOGY Rufus Music RMCD195317 Banjo? Check. Fiddle? Check. Mandolin? Check. Harmonica? Huh? It’s not exactly the first instrument associated with bluegrass music, but fans will likely change their tune with the release of Buddy Greene’s Harmonica Anthology. This 16-song collection digs into a variety of genres from bluegrass, old-time, Celtic, blues, and…

ANN PORCELLA GATHERING STONES No Label No Number Ann Porcella has gathered a group of talented friends to help her on this solo release of 14 songs. She has Paul Brown on banjo, Mark Clifton on resonator and Weissenborn guitar, Ira Gitlin on guitar, Marcy Marxer on percussion, Al Murphy on fiddle and mandolin, Bill…

RICKY SKAGGS COUNTRY HITS BLUEGRASS STYLE Skaggs Family Records 698901012 I suppose if there’s a down side to having a hit song, it’s that you’re stuck with it for the rest of your professional life. No matter if you played it 12,000 times; your next audience isn’t going to be happy until you’ve played it…

NU-BLU THE BLU-DISC Pinecastle Records PRC 1176 Nu-Blu is a fine young band from North Carolina which features a very tight, polished sound, impressive instrumental work, and excellent vocals led by Carolyn Routh. On this, their second release (and the first for the newly active Pinecastle label) they present 12 well-chosen and engaging cuts that…

DALE ANN BRADLEY SOMEWHERE SOUTH OF CRAZY Compass Records 7 4564 2 Dale Ann Bradley has been on a roll of late. She has seen the ups and downs of music business virtually at the same time in recent years. Yet her string of IBMA awards are well-deserved, as anyone who has seen her live…