Reviews

In the course of three albums and seven years, this immensely talented New York-based band has carved out a unique and remarkable niche. Nefesh is led by singer-banjo player Eric Lindberg and his partner, singer Doni Zasloff. Relying on the couple’s exquisite songwriting, Nefesh has refined a stylistic integration of bluegrass, Celtic and Eastern European…

OMNIVORE RECORDS OVCD-423 New York City’s Cole Quest (Rotante) is the grandson of Woody Guthrie and has assembled The City Pickers, who are a group of like-minded friends who also have a love for acoustic and bluegrass music. Quest, who sings lead vocals and plays guitar and resonator guitar, is joined by Larry Cook (bass),…

Wound metal instrument strings pose many challenges to a string manufacturer. Issues such as overall diameter (gauge), the ratio between the core and wrap wires, composition of both core (hex or round) and wrap metals, and more variables create a calculus of possibilities even Newton might struggle to describe mathematically. Two strings of identical gauge…

By Michael D. Doubler Although Uncle Dave Macon was not a bluegrass performer, he was such an important part of the Grand Ole Opry from its earliest days until he passed away in 1952, that he can be considered somewhat of an important figure in the early development of bluegrass music.  Uncle Dave Macon was…

Steve Gulley & Tim Stafford During the week of July 19, 2020, bluegrass veteran performer, radio host and songwriting great Steve Gulley could not take the pain in his stomach anymore. After going to his doctor to do some tests and take a CT scan, he was called back into the office on July 23…

Fullcord This first-rate veteran band (14 years and counting) more or less represents the cream of the crop of Michigan’s thriving bluegrass community.  Their new album, recorded in Lansing, showcases not only a boat-load of raw energy and ultra-tight picking, but also features some fascinating and provocative original songs. “Downtown,” with its fluid instrumental rides…