Reviews

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…

VARIOUS ARTISTS GET LOW – ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE  SOUNDTRACK Rounder Records 11661-9100-2 Soundtrack recordings can be powerful agents of exposure for films and TV shows. The 1960s-era James Bond films produced memorable soundtracks, for example, while more recently, the soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou? sold millions of copies and, just as importantly, millions…

THE EELPOUT STRINGERS ROCKIN’ THE BOAT Root Bass Records No Number The Eelpout Stringers are based in Minnesota. They feature Loyd Mitchell on guitar, Karl Burke on bass, Nick Rowse on fiddle, and Craig Evans on banjo. They have recorded 25 tunes and songs, mostly traditional, aside from “Quecreek” by Julie Miller, “Orphan Train” by…

TIM DAVIS AND MATT HISER FLYING HIGH No Label No Number Flying High is a nice collection of mostly traditional, mostly well-known instrumental tunes. Tim Davis (banjo) and Matt Hiser (mandolin) are joined by Jonathan Campbell on bass, while Kris Davis and Jonathan Buckner share the guitar duties. Davis and Hiser are also joined by…