Larry Stephenson Band — ‘Weep Little Willow’ Label: Whysper Dream Music Larry Stephenson Band’s new album, Weep Little Willow, just about claims the high, lonesome sound of bluegrass as their own trademark. Stephenson’s clear tenor, given occasional thrust from the rest of the band’s pitch-perfect harmonies, is the epitome of traditional bluegrass at its best. The latest … Continue reading
Tag Archives: bluegrass
New Bluegrass Single: Dave Adkins — “Turn and Burn”
Dave Adkins — “Turn and Burn” (single) Dave Adkins has released a new single—”Turn and Burn,” from his self-titled album on Mountain Fever Records. It’s a track that will help you get up and go, that’s for sure. The high energy song captures the perpetual motion quality that uptempo bluegrass is capable of; it fits … Continue reading
New Bluegrass: Circa Blue — ‘Once Upon A Time’
Circa Blue — Once Upon A Time Label: Orange Blossom Records Circa Blue’s latest album, Once Upon A Time, is full of calm, soothing tones delivered on a cloud of musical coherence. It restores one’s faith in the ability of bluegrass to restore one’s faith. The lineup this time includes guitarist Steve Harris, banjoist Matt Hickman, mandolinist … Continue reading
New Bluegrass: Rhonda Vincent — ‘All The Rage – Volume One’
Rhonda Vincent — All The Rage – Volume One The latest release from Rhonda Vincent, also known as “The New Queen of Bluegrass,” is a live concert album with her award-winning bluegrass band the Rage. It features 14 songs (loads of fan favorites and a couple of classic hymns), filmed LIVE at Bethel University in McKenzie, … Continue reading
New Bluegrass: Blue Highway — ‘Original Traditional’
Blue Highway — ‘Original Traditional’ Label: Rounder Records Release date: 9/9/16 Bluegrass supergroup Blue Highway—recently voted “Favorite Bluegrass Band Of All Time”’ by the readers of Bluegrass Today—is about to release its 11th studio album, Original Traditional. It’s an all-original traditional bluegrass record featuring the group’s new dobro player (Gaven Largent). He will join the rest of the … Continue reading
O’Connor Band (w/ Mark O’Connor) — ‘Coming Home’
O’Connor Band (w/ Mark O’Connor) — Coming Home Label: Rounder Records Coming Home, the long awaited album from the O’Connor Band, is finally here and meets the highest of expectations. The album is Mark O’Connor’s return to his bluegrass roots. It is a family affair; featuring a band centered around his family: his wife, Maggie (fiddle, … Continue reading
New Bluegrass: Kristin Scott Benson — ‘Stringworks’
Kristin Scott Benson — Stringworks Label: Mountain Home Music Company String works is a mesmerizing album showcasing Kristin Scott Benson’s abundance of musical gifts. On it, the four-time winner of the IBMA Instrumental Performer of the Year Award for Banjo offers an agreeable half instrumental, half vocal collection of twelve songs. The material chosen allows us … Continue reading
New Bluegrass: Lonesome River Band’s ‘Bridging The Tradition’
Lonesome River Band — Bridging The Tradition When tradition works, you don’t need to improve it. Lonesome River Band may not have started out as the protectors of the bluegrass status quo, but after making consistently high quality music for twenty-five years, they are in that admirable position. That doesn’t mean that they are stuck … Continue reading
New Bluegrass: The Earls of Leicester — ‘Rattle & Roar’
The Earls of Leicester — Rattle & Roar Label: Rounder Records (to be released July 15, 2016) It is one of the most highly-anticipated bluegrass albums of the year, and it does not disappoint. The greatest way to pay tribute to what has come before isn’t necessarily to recreate. Rather, it is to develop. That … Continue reading
New Bluegrass Gospel: Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver — ‘Burden Bearer’
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver — Burden Bearer “Brother, have you heard, about the world coming to an end?” So go the lyrics to the entirely infectious song that I can’t get out of my head, titled “Brother Have You Heard.” And isn’t that the real point of effective gospel, anyway—this inability to stop singing it … Continue reading
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