Reviews
Keep It Old-Time—Fiddle Music in Missouri from the 1960s Folk Music Revival to the Present
University of Missouri Press Howard Wight Marshall, a Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri, has recently completed his trilogy covering the history of fiddling in the state of Missouri. The first book in the series, titled Play Me Something Quick and Devilish (2013) begins with what is known about fiddling from the time of…
OK to Wonder
Arkansauce had no genre borders in mind when they set out to record their fifth album OK to Wonder. As a rule, says bassist Tom Anderson, the band members write what they like and “it just comes out as it comes out; any sort of genre or descriptor comes afterwards,” he said, adding, “A lot…
Bluegrass Harmonica
White Oak Records WO 106 Wisconsin’s Art Stevenson is not only an excellent harmonica player, but is also a good singer and guitarist. He is also the founding member of his band Art Stevenson and High Water, and he is the promoter of the Bluegrass in the Pines bluegrass festival and is busy as host…
Remembering The Past
The Kentucky Colonels were as progressive and innovative as Billy Strings is today and Osborne Brothers were before them. The guitar magic—there’s no other word—conjured by Clarence White, melding with his older brother Roland’s dry, almost plaintive vocals and spot-on Monroe style mandolin, created a thrilling new sound. The highlight, to many fans was their…
Bluegrass Voice
Bluelight Records BLR 332332 Led by Jussi Syren (mandolin, lead vocals), the Groundbreakers members hail from both Finland and Europe. Formed in 1995 the others in the group include Tauri Oksala (banjo, resonator guitar, vocals), J.P. Putkonen (guitar), and Tero Maenpaa (bass, vocals). The group has toured around six European countries, and in the States,…
Listening For Your Call
Colorado-based Orchard Creek—Dave Richardson, vocals, banjo; Keith Murdock, vocals, Dobro; Jan Springer, vocals, guitar, Kevin Slick, vocals, mandolin and Todd Ball on base—emerges fully formed on their first full-length album, with fine musicianship, including some stirring harmonies, as well as intriguing, artfully crafted original songs. The band’s accomplished harmonies don’t just hint at bluegrass oldies…