Reviews
Renaissance
Even though she’s flown somewhat under the radar for much of her career, Valerie Smith has been flying fast and for a long time. This fabulous album is her 18th. Renaissance showcases Smith’s penchant for everything from sorrowful and inspirational balladry (“Heart Of Sorrow, “Do You Know Where Your Heart is Tonight”) to hard-charging bluegrass…
Up All Night
More so than in most genres of music, change is inevitable—and often frequent—in bluegrass music. The Grascals have been around for 17 years and were known for handling change well while providing one-of-a-kind vocals from all-time great Terry Eldridge. Eldridge’s departure signaled a need to move in a different direction. The group has managed to…
This Life We’re Livin’
When Darin and Brooke Aldridge first broke onto the bluegrass scene they quickly picked up the tag “bluegrass sweethearts.” Now nearly a decade into a career based on warm harmonies, great song selection and the dynamic vocal range of Brooke, the group has become one of the top acts in bluegrass and a force among…
Adeline
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…
Walkin’ The Blues
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…
Singing Up There: A Tribute To The Easter Brothers
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…