Reviews

THE COCKMAN FAMILY LETTER FROM HOME CF RECORDS BMI-07272 Since forming in 1988, this North Carolina family unit has recorded multiple projects that feature a gospel approach to their original tunes and covers of older lesser-known tunes. The Cockman Family is led by father John Cockman (guitar) with siblings Caroline Cockman Fisher (vocals), John Cockman,…

JAKE BLOUNT SPIDER TALES Free Dirt Records DIRT-CD-0007 Jake Blount is an award-winning banjo and fiddle player based in Providence, R.I., whose awards include becoming the first black artist to win the annual Appalachian String Band Music Festival in West Virginia. Blount studies and performs the music of black artists of the Southeast, and even…

THE WILDMANS Travianna Records TR2005100 The Wildmans are a young brother/sister duo from the Roanoke, Va., area. Aila plays fiddle and sings lead while brother Eli plays mandolin and adds harmony. Longtime friends Victor Furtado (banjo) and Sean Newman (bass) round out the group. Guests on the project are Nick Falk (percussion), Nate Leath (fiddle),…

GARY BREWER & THE KENTUCKY RAMBLERS 40th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Stretch Grass Music SGM-4050 With over four decades of music under his belt, Gary Brewer has come full circle with 40th Anniversary Celebration. Since cutting his teeth on bluegrass music in his early teens, Brewer has honed his skills by playing with Bill Monroe, J.D. Crowe,…

TOMMY JACKSON NASHVILLE FIDDLER: THE COMPLETE SOLO RECORDINGS COLLECTION and more bears AMB 71002 This is an amazing six-CD set that is astounding in its scope. Every one of Jackson’s solo recordings that feature his hoedown fiddling are here. Even if the CD cover says without calls, there are calls on some tracks. These are…

KENNY AND AMANDA SMITH WITH YOU FarmBoy Records FBR-1005 With their latest release, Kenny and Amanda Smith have delivered another polished, lush-sounding bluegrass CD filled with Amanda’s IBMA award-winning voice and Kenny’s similarly lauded flatpicking guitar. Opening with the sublimely engaging “Change,” Amanda’s voice grabs the listener at the first line. “I’ve Not Forgotten You”…