Reviews

SIERRA HULL 25 TRIPS Rounder Records 1166100579 On her latest CD 25 Trips, former mandolin prodigy turned multi-talented performer Sierra Hull delivers a distinct musical statement that explores the broad range of musical options an artist can build starting from a base in undiluted bluegrass. As many of her contemporaries like Sarah Jarosz, Chris Thile, Molly…

JEREMY GARRETT CIRCLES Organic Records OR18742 This is an adventurous and powerful outing from Jeremy Garrett, best known as fiddler for the Infamous Stringdusters. When not touring with the ’Dusters, he’s an innovative singer/songwriter. During solo performances, he electronically loops instruments and vocals to create a multi-element sound well-suited to his impassioned performance style. Here,…

JIM LAUDERDALE WHEN CAROLINA COMES HOME Yep Roc Records YEP-2695X Lauderdale has recorded over thirty albums and now has another on the North Carolina based Yep Roc label, saluting his home state and employing a gaggle of Carolina artists to boot. Right off, this is a very enjoyable effort with 13 songs, all written by…

THE STEELDRIVERS BAD FOR YOU Rounder Records 1166100808 In their 15-year career, The SteelDrivers have forged a vital, unique voice in the sometimes predictable world of bluegrass. Starting from their early days with superstar songwriter and lead singer Chris Stapleton, the band has successfully merged a stubborn streak of Southern roots rock into the traditional…

HINDSIGHT BLUEGRASS 2020 No Label No Number The North Carolina band Hindsight Bluegrass has self-produced and released its first recording, 2020. The band is comprised of bluegrass veterans and former bandmates. Banjo player and vocalist Stan Brown played with spouse Julie Brown (bass player) in a prior band. Stan also played in a college band with…

AMERICAN ANTEBELLUM FIDDLING BY CHRIS GOERTZEN Univ. Press of Miss. 9781496827289. Paperback, 250 pp., 14 b&w illustrations, $21. (www.upress.state.ms.us) This is the author’s third volume covering traditional fiddling in the United States. A professor of musical history, Goertzen digs into the past to reveal not only the tunes, but also the means of conveyance of…