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OLD SALT UNION Compass Records 7 4693 2 By signing with Compass Records, Old Salt Union brings their edgy and rootsy style to a major label. Yes, they have all the elements of bluegrass, but they also bring in their other influences of rock, classical, hip-hop, and Americana. The band consists of John Brighton (fiddle,…

THE GRASCALS BEFORE BREAKFAST Mountain Home MH16872 One of the many charms and attributes that have won The Grascals a multitude of fans in recent years is the band’s capacity to convey everything from heart-stopping earnestness to lighthearted, even goofy humor. On the one hand, there are heart palpitators: The mournful “Demons” (written by Bill…

RHONDA VINCENT & DARYLE SINGLETARY AMERICAN GRANDSTAND Upper Mgmt. Music UM011 If you’re a fan of traditional country duos like George Jones/Tammy Wynette and Conway Twitty/Loretta Lynn, then this CD is a perfect match. As always, Rhonda Vincent’s vocals are spot-on. This time, she has the added benefit of recording with a true country traditionalist,…

THE BLUEGRASS UNIT SETLIST VOL.1 No Label TBU-1 This Canadian band has a great vocal trio and lots of hot licks to back it up. Everyone is a fine singer, and they sing their parts with lots of drive in a powerful delivery. Their picking is just as solid, with Justin Nauss on banjo, Kenny…

CAROLINA BLUE SOUNDS OF KENTUCKY GRASS Poor Mountain Records PMR-0004    This album’s attention-grabbing set of hard bluegrass songs presents a genuine breakout for Carolina Blue. That backstory of a western N.C. band named Carolina Blue releasing an album called Sounds Of Kentucky Grass further distinguishes the album in a crowded marketplace. Although noted for their…

FIDDLER’S DREAM: OLD-TIME, SWING, AND BLUEGRASS FIDDLING IN TWENTIETH CENTURY MISSOURI BY HOWARD WIGHT MARSHALL Univ. Of Missouri Press 9780826221216. CD included, 448 pp., 111 photos, $29.95. (Chicago Distribution Ctr., 11030 S. Langley Ave., Chicago, IL 60628, upress.missouri.edu.) This second volume by Marshall on the fiddling in Missouri brings the reader up to the twentieth…