Reviews

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Doc Watson’s birth, FLi Records/Budde Music have released an impressive tribute CD that both honors the indelible legacy of the guitarist and singer from Deep Gap, North Carolina, while involving musicians and styles far from Doc’s country roots.       I Am A Pilgrim features tracks from bluegrass stars…

IBMA 2022 Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year Nominee Anthony Howell from Mississippi is one of those versatile artists who can fulfill a variety of roles in a bluegrass setting.  He released an independent recording in March 2023, which contains fourteen tracks.  He plays all the instruments and wrote three instrumentals.  If that isn’t enough,  he…

Jake Eddy is a new name amongst flatpickers. But his new solo CD, Live at Spanish Point, is further evidence we live in the golden age of flatpicking. Playing strictly as a solo flatpicking act here, Eddy shows he’s as much a master of this difficult disciple as David Grier or Steve Kaufman. One critical…

Italian Beppe Gambetta is very well-known to guitar players in the flatpicking guitar world.  He is an extremely talented guitarist, educator and entertainer who effortlessly provides great joy to his audience through his effervescent passion and commitment to, and enthusiasm for, his craft. In this new book, Beppe’s passion and love for both music and…

After 60 years of success in bluegrass, Larry Sparks stands as a true legend. His new CD, It’s Just Me, delivers (almost) exactly that. Over ten tunes here, Sparks plays rhythm and lead guitar and vocals, backed by Larry D. Sparks on bass. No fillers, no showy guest stars, just the quiet dignity and enduring…

Bluegrass newcomer Casey Penn mentions on Mountain Fever Records’ page that her solo debut album, One Step Away, is dedicated to the memory of her father, who she says lived a life of faith “one step away from heaven.” It’s a sweet notion about a sweet project featuring original songwriting, clean vocals, and solid picking….