Articles

MARTEKA AND WILLIAM TRUE GRASS REVIVAL No Label No Number After my first listening to True Grass Revival by Marteka and William Lake, I knew what I was going to say: Wow! Marteka, at age 15, is already a banjo player who demonstrates much depth. She has obviously studied Earl Scruggs in detail, and she…

THE BANKESTERS LOVE HAS WHEELS Compass Records 7 4614 2 With their fifth CD, The Bankesters now shift to Compass Records and bring their bright, fresh sound, fine vocals, and ever-advancing instrumental chops. Most importantly, they and producer Alison Brown have corrected the minor flaws of their previous release. That self-titled CD had good overall…

ROBIN & LINDA WILLIAMS BACK 40 Red House Records RHR CD 274 Robin and Linda Williams are celebrating their fortieth anniversary as performers with Back 40, a commemoration to share with their loyal audiences. It’s primarily a collection of re-recorded versions of songs from their earlier out-of-print albums, creatively recast with a supporting crew of…

DETROIT COUNTRY MUSIC: MOUNTAINEERS, COWBOYS, AND ROCKABILLIES—BY CRAIG MAKI WITH KEITH CADY—University of Michigan Press 9780472052011. Also available in eBook, 327 pp., $25. (Univ. Of Mich. Press, 839 Greene St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104, press.umich.edu.) Detroit is, of course, Motown, Kid Rock, and Eminem. So, at first, the title of this work seems almost satirical….

JASON DAVIS SECOND TIME AROUND Mountain Fever Records MFR130625 On this the second solo release from current Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice banjoist Jason Davis, there are numerous tracks on which the music is as powerful and engrossing as anything in bluegrass today. On those tracks, Davis and his band of guests get you in…

JAMES KING THREE CHORDS AND THE TRUTH Rounder Records 11661-9134-2 If you ever meet someone who wants to understand the appeal of bluegrass and country music, play them this record. The album title, taken from a line from Harlan Howard, says it all. It’s the stories. Yes, they may be stretched a bit and, yes,…