Articles

KIM ROBINS RAINING IN BALTIMORE Pinecastle Records PRC 1205 It was beginning to look like another forty years wait for Kim Robins’ second release. Her first, titled 40 Years Late, was self-released in 2013. Then came another gap. Now this new one finally arrives, and it seems to have been worth the delay. Not only…

GALAX BOGTROTTERS OLD TIME JUBILATIONS Dittyville No Number    The Galax Bogtrotters are Eddie Bond on fiddle, banjo, guitar, and vocals, Erynn Marshall on fiddle, banjo, and vocals, Carl Jones on mandolin, guitar, banjo, and vocals, Eric Hill on guitar and banjo, and Bonnie Bond on bass and vocals. Joe Dejarnette plays bass on “Pretty Little…

THE FARM HANDS COLORS Pinecastle Records PRC 1208 The Farm Hands continue down the same furrow with their latest recording. What has worked in the past, works here. Their previous releases have all been characterized by direct, unflashy but highly appropriate instrumental work, and by warm lead vocals and very smooth harmonies. Song choices have…

HAMMERTOWNE HILLBILLY HEROES Mountain Fever MFR 170602 This is the third release from the Kentucky-based band Hammertowne. It’s the same five guys returning. Bandmembers David Carroll, Bryan Russell, and Brent Pack had a hand in writing eight of the twelve songs, drawing on Bill Castle, Del McCoury, Jerry Dill, and Evan Maynard for the rest….

LONESOME RIVER BAND MAYHAYLEY’S HOUSE Mountain Home MH16852 The number of former members who’ve cycled through the Lonesome River Band since its founding 35 years ago is in the dozens. Through it all, it’s been banjo master Sammy Shelor, who’s kept a sure and steady hand on the tiller. Nearly 20 albums into the game,…

PAUL KOVAC OHIO BLUEGRASS: FROM THE APPALACHIAN PLATEAU, VOL. 1 Yodel-Ay-Hee 093 There is plenty of good new music coming down the pipe in a bluegrass world that is constantly flexing its muscles and frequently crossing genres. Then along comes Paul Kovac with a new, old, traditional, big sound. Yes, it’s hard to describe. Kovac…