Reviews

If you have ever played an acoustic instrument into an amp or PA using a direct input (DI) box to control your EQ, volume and tone, you are likely to be familiar with LR Baggs. Known for stellar acoustic pickups like the Lyric bridgeplate microphone, the company earned a spot in countless acoustic musicians’ gear…

Lori King and her husband Joe front this rustic and robust veteran band that’s based in Iowa and has been plying its craft on the midwestern bluegrass scene for years.  The Kings, veterans of the band Bluegrass Addiction, are both commanding vocalists and they get sure-footed backing from Kevin Amburgey (mandolin and vocals), Mark Hargrove…

From the depths of the winter season in Ontario, Canada, and created during the equally-bleak depths of the covid pandemic comes a wonderful album called Adeline.  Long story short, this is an all-star collaboration between musicians that normally play for other Canadian bluegrass and old-time bands. To further describe the atmosphere behind this recording, these…

If you have ever driven through the old downtown area of Mt. Airy, NC, whether to go to the Mt. Airy Bluegrass & Old-time Fiddler’s Convention or to visit the Andy Griffith Museum and Theatre, you will have probably noticed the Mayberry’s Music Center. The business has been run by James Easter of the legendary…

John Reischman’s sound on the mandolin has always been a striking one, crystalline and clear, like a rushing stream. He has said this sparkling tone comes from the slanted angle he holds his pick at and the naturally full resonance of his Gibson Lloyd Loar. Hearing his latest album, New Time & Old Acoustic, I…

While the COVID-19 pandemic put an end to live in-person music performances, it did spawn some great creative work.  A prime example is Grit & Polish, an album that veteran musicians Mark Schatz and Bryan McDowell recorded in Schatz’s basement. It was created without much in the way of overdubbing and transports the listener to…