Reviews

Songwriters are the eyes of the world and Baltimore songwriter Caleb Stine’s eyes are better than most.  Armed with a storyteller’s inquisitiveness and a restless independent spirit, Stine is songwriter of uncompromising heft, he can spin tales that are joyful expressions, songs that are serious meditations on life, and write tunes that are all of…

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…

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,…

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…

The Steep Canyon Rangers have championed what has become known as the Carolina sound for well over 20 years. On Morning Shift, the group’s 14th studio album, they continue doing what they do best…crafting songs around stories.  This is the first album since founding member guitarist/vocalist Woody Platt decided to step away to spend more…

Veteran Tina Adair has a lovely voice with a bit of a teardrop in it.  After growing up in a family band, she launched her solo career at age 17 on Sugar Hill Records. She’s more or less stayed in the game since then. She spent a number of years as part of the Grammy-nominated…