Reviews

Maddie Denton may be one of the best fiddle players you’ve heard, but not heard of.  That might change with the release of her debut album, Playin’ in this Town.  A veteran of the fiddle competition circuit, Denton has won 14 state titles in five states since 2008. She also handles fiddle duties for the…

In the liner notes to their sophomore album, this Vancouver-based quartet states its musical mission. The bandmembers describe their delightfully retro approach (recording around one microphone) and image (dressing in matching, ties, vests and white shirts) as, “our way of paying tribute to those who have been playing (bluegrass) a lot longer than we have.”…

Decades from now, don’t be surprised if Béla Fleck’s superb My Bluegrass Heart project has influenced today＊s rising tide of young bluegrassers as the David Grisman Quintet, Fly Through The Country, and Rounder 0044 records were to the prior generation. Populated with heroes from every part of Fleck’s musical journey, from David Grisman and the…

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…

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…

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…