Articles

RANDY BARRETT SHAKE RATTLE AND ROAR Patuxent Music CD-339 The range and scope of banjo playing has grown exponentially over the past half century. The root music that Bill Monroe shaped into bluegrass has bloomed and grown like the sport scion that produces new things from the old gene pool. Barrett is that kind of…

CUP O’ JOE IN THE PARTING Cup O’ Joe Music 60643 Cup O’ Joe is a young family trio from Northern Ireland consisting of Reuben Agnew (guitar), Tabitha Agnew (banjo, guitar), and Benjamin Agnew (bass). They’re assisted on this project by David Benedict (mandolin), Niall Murphy (fiddle), Josh Clark (percussion), Dave Molloy (guitar), Eilidh Patterson…

SPECIAL CONSENSUS CHICAGO BARN DANCE Compass Records 747562     After a 45-year run as one of America’s leading bluegrass bands, Special Consensus decided to take the long road back to their sweet Chicago home for their anniversary project. One unique quality of Special C (as they’re internationally known) is that native son Greg Cahill chose…

ERYNN MARSHALL & CARL JONES OLD TIN Dittyville 009 Old Tin is the second joint recording from the musical and marital couple of Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones. Those familiar with their music, individually and collectively, will not be surprised at what’s to be found here. Like the subject/object of the title-song, it contains a plentiful…

A FIDDLER’S GUIDE TO MOVEABLE SHAPES—BY JOHN MAILANDER Coloring book and colored pencils also included, $25. (www.johnmailander.com) This concise, spiral-bound book is full of useful information for the reading fiddler, mandolinist, or other musician who has come to the realization that there is more to know than meets the ear. To hear things and intuit…

THE LONESOME ACE STRINGBAND MODERN OLD-TIME SOUNDS FOR THE BLUEGRASS & FOLKSONG JAMBOREE  No Label No Number    This Canadian band is ostensibly old-time, but they’re iconoclastic in their approach. Any good song, regardless of origin, is fodder for their imagination. Drawing from some of the more outrageous ideas of the great folk scare of the…