Articles

ISAAC CANTOR ROAD TO NOYO ICR Records ICR-12 The secret to success is knowing your strengths and how to build upon them. Mr. Cantor does just this on this nine cut project. Surrounding himself with some of the best pickers in the Bay Area, this Californian shares the spotlight with them, resulting in an interesting…

LOU REID AND CAROLINA CALLIN’ ME BACK HOME KMA Records KMA 000-1 Of the three Lou Reid CDs on which the current Carolina lineup of Kristy Reid, Shannon Slaughter and Trevor Watson plays, “My Own Set Of Rules” is the benchmark. The sound was highly varied, the material was, almost across the board, above average,…

DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER SING ME A SONG ABOUT JESUS Mountain Home MH13932 One of the hallmarks of the most enduring and influential bandleaders is their ability to spot and willingness to nurture young talent, thus paving the way for a new generation of trendsetters. This certainly is the case with Doyle Lawson and his…

THE BING BROTHERS BAND, FEATURING JAKE KRACK LIVE FROM POCAHONTAS COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA No Label No Number Right after the band introduction on this live recording done at the Pocahontas County Opera House, Mike Bing asks, “Before we get started, has anyone ever heard of Sherman Hammons around this place?” Then Tim Bing dives into…

THE GRASCALS LIFE FINDS A WAY Mountain Home MH13902 Comedian Steve Martin likes to say you can’t help but be happy when you hear a banjo, even on a sad song. That can apply, as well, to the latest recording from The Grascals. Listening to any of their 13 tracks and coming away without a…

NOAM PIKELNY BEAT THE DEVIL AND CARRY A RAIL Compass Records 7 4565 2 When Sammy Shelor won the $50,000 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo in 2011, he decided to put the cash towards his retirement. Noam Pikelny, on the other hand, who won the first-ever Martin Prize the year before,…