Articles

CINDY G JAILBREAK Blue Road Records CD02-053015 Cindy G’s (last name Giedja) new CD offers ten original songs and two covers, one of them a fairly standard but nicely-done version of “Sitting On Top Of The World” and one a slow, Southern Rock take on “Ruby, Are You Mad,” which gives a new slant on…

BIG VIRGINIA SKY No Label No Number On their website, Big Virginia Sky describes themselves as a “bluegrass-influenced Americana group,” and that seems like a fair way to approach this group and their debut recording after about three years together. At the forefront of the group are James Adkins, his guitar, singing, and songwriting. Scott…

VALERIE SMITH THE HUMAN CONDITION Bell Buckle Records No Number If you’re familiar with Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, you already know the powerful punch of versatility that her voice can travel. She demonstrates that creative stretching with her singing on The Human Condition. Through her unique spin on this collection of cover songs, Smith…

GREG BLAKE SONGS OF HEART AND HOME No Label GBM 2015001 Greg Blake, the fine lead singer and guitarist with Jeff Scroggins & Colorado and a West Virginia transplant, has released his first solo effort, and the results are very impressive. He’s joined by a top-flight lineup of supporting musicians including Scroggins on banjo, John…

THE DAPPLED GRAYS LAST NIGHT, TOMORROW No Label No Number The Atlanta-based Dappled Grays are Leah Calvert (fiddle), Casey Cook (guitar), Michael Smith (mandolin), Greg Earnest (banjo), and Keith Morris (bass). This is the third project in their 16-year history as a group. Eight of the eleven selections are band originals. The others are from…

THE RAILSPLITTERS THE FASTER IT GOES No Label No Number One of the most valuable fallback tools a reviewer has in describing a new band is comparison. This allows one to write things like “This mandolinist plays like a young Bill Monroe or maybe an old Chris Thile,” or “This singer has a tone that’s…