Reviews

Red Allen and the Kentuckians is a classic piece of bluegrass memorabilia. It was recorded at the station WKCR in New York with host Pete Wernick in early March, 1966. It features the talents of Red’s guitar and vocals along with a young David Grisman on mandolin, Porter Church on five-string banjo and Bobby Diamond…

Like Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs, Tony Rice left such an indelible imprint on bluegrass music and his chosen instrument that scholars and bluegrass fans will be seeking out biographic information and anecdotes about the man and the music he created for decades to come. Leveraging his longtime personal and professional association with Rice here,…

This Melbourne, Australia-based outfit has an interesting history. Three of the original members were in a synth-pop band called Schizo Scherzo back in the yesteryear. That band eventually broke up, but about a decade and a half ago they had a chance reunion and instantly re-bonded over their shared passion for the music on the…

East Tennessee’s Authentic Unlimited was formed by three former members of Doyle Lawson’s Quicksilver upon Lawson’s retirement. They are Eli Johnston (banjo), Stephen Burwell (fiddle) and Jerry Cole (bass). Joining the trio are Jesse Brock (mandolin) and John Meader (guitar). Besides working with Lawson’s Quicksilver, members have gained previous experience with such groups as Pine…

This meditative 15-song album and accompanying 20-song video by Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum educational director Randy Lanham is a true labor of love with a fascinating story behind it. A while back, Lanham’s father was in the hospital and Lanham noticed how hard it was for him to relax or sleep amidst all…

Donna Ulisse is an award-winning singer-songwriter who lives in Nashville, Tennessee. She was influenced by the bluegrass sounds of the Stanley Brothers, and spent time in the Clinch Mountains of Virginia and other areas, learning the source of those sounds of the music that she has come to love. Her songs have brought her renown,…