Reviews

SCOTT ANDERSON TALES FROM THE SWAMP No Label MATO 1315 There are 13 tracks on Scott Anderson’s second solo release. Four are original songs by either Scott or his daughter, Amanda, and the other nine are covers. Only “Can’t You Hear Me Calling” and the instrumental “Temperance Reel” are bluegrass standards, though “Folsom Prison Blues”…

THE ROCKRIDGE BROTHERS NO SLEEP UNTIL ROCKRIDGE Red Rocking Records RRR06 These Swedes found punk rock too mainstream for their tastes, so they went for the ultimate grunge sound of American old-time mountain music. They are adept at the genre with Kristian Herner’s banjo being exceptional. Peter Frovik’s guitar and Pontus Juth’s bass form a…

RALPH STANLEY A MOTHER’S PRAYER Rebel Records CD-1840 At age 84, the venerable Ralph Stanley, at least in the cover photo on this stark new gospel collection, looks like a prophet; a prophet whose unwavering faith is anchored in long-ago childhood days when he worshipped alongside his mother in small, back-country, southern Virginia chapels. A…

TOM MINDTE & JEREMY STEPHENS RADIO FAVORITES & SACRED SONGS Patuxent Music CD-215 Brother duets are the basis of the bluegrass sound. Starting with Bill and Charlie Monroe, who were a part of an already established tradition, we have enjoyed brothers singing together since named Stanley, McReynolds, and Louvin. There is a long tradition of…

MIKE SCOTT TAKE ME LORD AND USE ME Rural Rhythm RCH-2005 Twice in this new gospel CD from banjoist/guitarist/vocalist Mike Scott, he and his guest musicians hit a stretch of songs that raises the level of interest a notch or two. The first comes from tracks four through six, starting with a swing-driven “Jesus I’ll…

JOSH SLONE AND COAL TOWN Rural Rhythm RUR-1074 Josh Slone has ascended, quite rightly, to a national label, and his resulting debut is a good one. It’s not a classic, but is certainly one that should make the bluegrass community notice his talents as a lead singer and front man. Backing him solidly are current…