Reviews

Justin Moses Mountain Fever Records MFR-110100 If ever there was a “showcase album,” Justin Moses’ Fall Like Rain fits the bill.  Many artists write songs for and sing on their albums, but not that many also play EVERY INSTRUMENT.  Add to that an all-star lineup of bluegrass performers and you have a top-shelf CD. Moses…

Troy Engle Rocky Glen Music RGM-320 Fox Hollow, legendary singer-songwriter Tom T. Hall’s rustically elegant estate near Franklin, Tennessee, was often a gathering place for his extended musical family. ` For quite a long time during his formative years, Troy Engle, a well-credentialed singer, songwriter and picker who now heads his own accomplished bluegrass band,…

Daniel Wile University of Tennessee Press Randy Wood is the Zelig of bluegrass, a man who has been involved deeply in bluegrass at many of its seminal events, from its earliest stages to the boom era of bluegrass on Nashville’s Broadway, and his current role as one of the legends in vintage instrument repair, restoration,…

Andrew Vaughan Henry David Thoreau said “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”  After reading John Hartford: Pilot of a Steam Powered Aereo-Plain, I would say that John Hartford was…

Stephen Mougin Dark Shadow Recording Stephen Mougin’s recent release, Ordinary Soul, is his highest-profile entry to date. He’s flown somewhat under the radar as the long-time guitarist in the Sam Bush Band, but with this entry, Steve has established credentials as a top-notch singer, songwriter and producer. Mougin’s warm, expressive voice and dazzling guitar chops…

Alan Sibley &  Anthony Howell  Noxubee Hills Music Group NOX-CD-002 I expected that those who are connected in business associations would speak well of each other in the media. It’s good public relations.  Sometimes, those PR statements hit the nail flush.  This is true in the case of Deering Banjo Company CEO Jamie Deering who…