Articles

RALPH STANLEY A MOTHER’S PRAYER Rebel Records CD-1840 At age 84, the venerable Ralph Stanley, at least in the cover photo on this stark new gospel collection, looks like a prophet; a prophet whose unwavering faith is anchored in long-ago childhood days when he worshipped alongside his mother in small, back-country, southern Virginia chapels. A…

TOM MINDTE & JEREMY STEPHENS RADIO FAVORITES & SACRED SONGS Patuxent Music CD-215 Brother duets are the basis of the bluegrass sound. Starting with Bill and Charlie Monroe, who were a part of an already established tradition, we have enjoyed brothers singing together since named Stanley, McReynolds, and Louvin. There is a long tradition of…

MIKE SCOTT TAKE ME LORD AND USE ME Rural Rhythm RCH-2005 Twice in this new gospel CD from banjoist/guitarist/vocalist Mike Scott, he and his guest musicians hit a stretch of songs that raises the level of interest a notch or two. The first comes from tracks four through six, starting with a swing-driven “Jesus I’ll…

JOSH SLONE AND COAL TOWN Rural Rhythm RUR-1074 Josh Slone has ascended, quite rightly, to a national label, and his resulting debut is a good one. It’s not a classic, but is certainly one that should make the bluegrass community notice his talents as a lead singer and front man. Backing him solidly are current…

VARIOUS ARTISTS GET LOW – ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE  SOUNDTRACK Rounder Records 11661-9100-2 Soundtrack recordings can be powerful agents of exposure for films and TV shows. The 1960s-era James Bond films produced memorable soundtracks, for example, while more recently, the soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou? sold millions of copies and, just as importantly, millions…

THE EELPOUT STRINGERS ROCKIN’ THE BOAT Root Bass Records No Number The Eelpout Stringers are based in Minnesota. They feature Loyd Mitchell on guitar, Karl Burke on bass, Nick Rowse on fiddle, and Craig Evans on banjo. They have recorded 25 tunes and songs, mostly traditional, aside from “Quecreek” by Julie Miller, “Orphan Train” by…