Reviews
New Beginnings
It’s not too much of a reach to describe Tennessee Jed Fisher, the songwriter, lead singer and lead guitarist, as a ferocious yet finely-tuned bundle of nervous energy. On these mostly all-original high-energy songs, which he coproduced with Scott Vestal, relying on an array of top-flight musicians, he mostly hits the mark and occasionally even…
Impromptu Sessions No. 2: Trust In Most
Dominick Leslie plays the mandolin with a sense of humor. While commonly recognized as one of the most versatile pickers of his generation, he always approaches songs with playful levity. On his recent record, Impromptu Sessions No. 2, Leslie puts this quality on full display, evenly matched by his duet partner, multi-instrumentalist Ric Robertson. Following…
Leave The Porch Light On
Indiana native and bluegrass singer-songwriter, Kim Robins has released and new collection of tunes which include a number of special guests. These guests are such as Kyle Estep (guitar vocals), Josh Woods (banjo), Duane Estep (mandolin, vocals), Clay Hess (guitar, banjo, vocals), Brennan Hess (bass), and Tim Crouch (fiddle). Her fine vocals are showcased throughout…
Impromptu Sessions No. 1
Brittany Haas is one of the most in-demand fiddle players working today. This is due, in large part, to her incredible ability to match the form of any project. She bows with an old-time fury and righteousness on Michael Daves’ double album, Orchids and Violence, but is equally at home carrying lilting, pastoral melodies alongside…
Winfield’s Walnut Valley Festival
I attended my first Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas in September of 1996. I had just started publishing Flatpicking Guitar Magazine and since the Walnut Valley Festival hosts the National Flatpicking Guitar Championship, Winfield seemed to be a good place for me to be. At the time, I had only printed one issue and…
Solitary Diamond
Apparently, being in one of the hottest bluegrass bands going wasn’t enough for Laura Orshaw, so she has put out a smoking solo album. Solitary Diamond is loaded with well-known guests, but make no mistake—it is the jumping fiddle and strong vocals of Orshaw that get showcased in this must-have CD. There are a handful…