Posted in Americana, Blues, Country, Rock, Tim Walsh on June 24, 2008 | 1 Comment »
The Band of Heathens
The Band of Heathens
BOH Records
3 stars (out of 5)
The Band of Heathens was born at the legendary Momo’s in Austin, where its singers and songwriters Colin Brooks, Ed Jurdi, and Gordy Quist transformed their regular co-billings into on-stage collaborations. The Heathens quickly became heroes in the local club scene and started racking [...]
Posted in Bluegrass, Country, Tim Walsh on June 7, 2008 | No Comments »
Various Artists
A Bluegrass Tribute to the Stars of Country
Pinecastle Records
2.5 Stars (out of 5)
Well, I guess A Bluegrass Tribute to the Stars of Country certainly sounds better than A Record Label’s Attempt to Boost its Back Catalogue. Pinecastle Records has combed its vaults and come up with fourteen convenient covers for the concept. There are [...]
Posted in 4 and 4.5 Star Albums, Americana, Country, Katy Leonard, Old-time on June 5, 2008 | No Comments »
Red Stick Ramblers
Made in the Shade
Sugar Hill Records
4 stars (out of 5)
The Red Stick Ramblers’ Made in the Shade provides a diverse mix of
musical styles and experiences, all inspired by the rich and tasty
musical gumbo of Louisiana. Predominantly filled with Cajun dance
tunes, this album offers something for fans of almost any genre.
The unrushed [...]
Posted in Americana, Country, Tim Walsh on May 23, 2008 | No Comments »
Amanda Shaw
Pretty Runs Out
Rounder Records
2 Stars (out of 5)
Whether or not Amanda Shaw’s name has been called when choosing sides for basketball, at 17, the New Orleans fiddler, singer, songwriter, bandleader, and actress already has amassed an impressive resume. She won Offbeat’s 2004 Cajun Artist Award and the 2005 Big Easy Award for Best [...]
Posted in 4 and 4.5 Star Albums, Aaron Keith Harris, Bluegrass, Country, Gospel on April 21, 2008 | No Comments »
Steve Gulley
Sounds Like Home
Lonesome Day Records
4 stars (out of 5)
Grrasstowne
The Road Headin’ Home
Pinecastle Records
3.5 stars (out of 5)
The general impermanence of band line-ups in bluegrass is often frustrating for fans, and no doubt to the musicians themselves. But the byproduct is often the welcome launch of a new band or solo artist.
Or in Steve Gulley’s [...]
Posted in 4 and 4.5 Star Albums, Aaron Keith Harris, Bluegrass, Country, Gospel on April 6, 2008 | No Comments »
Ricky Skaggs & The Whites
Salt of the Earth
Skaggs Family Records
4 stars (out of 5)
A gospel album by Ricky Skaggs & The Whites ought to be mighty good, and Salt of the Earth is just that.
Each of the the 13 tracks is a setting for Skaggs’ clean, crisp Kentucky tenor and The Whites’ lush family harmonies, [...]
Posted in Bluegrass, Country, Maria Morgan Davis on April 1, 2008 | No Comments »
The Gibson Brothers
Iron & Diamonds
Sugar Hill Records
3 stars (out of 5)
Eric and Leigh Gibson are two of the most musically astute pickers in bluegrass. Transcending flash, they always put the right licks in the right place at the right time. What’s more, they possess two of the most distinctive and high lonesome voices in the [...]
Posted in Bluegrass, Country, Maria Morgan Davis on March 27, 2008 | No Comments »
Rhonda Vincent
Good Thing Going
Rounder Records
3 stars (out of 5)
Rhonda Vincent has packed her latest album with a variety of musical styles, terrific songwriting, and a dream roster of special guests. Her crackerjack band; her brother, co-producer, and ace harmonizer, Darrin Vincent; and even her fans (known collectively as the Ragers), have added their voices to [...]
Posted in 4 and 4.5 Star Albums, Aaron Keith Harris, Bluegrass, Country, Rock on February 19, 2008 | No Comments »
Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time
Took Down and Put Up
Lonesome Day Records
4 stars (out of 5)
There are some songwriters whose work sounds best when sung by someone else. Others simply need to sing their own songs.
Larry Cordle is neither kind. Loretta Lynn, Garth Brooks, and Alison Krauss have all recorded the Cordell, Ky. native’s work, [...]
Posted in 4 and 4.5 Star Albums, Americana, Country, Tim Walsh on January 27, 2008 | No Comments »
Elana James
Elana James
Smarf Records
4 Stars (out of 5)
Except for a stint in Bob Dylan’s band, fiddler Elana James has been singing and swinging with hipsters Hot Club of Cow Town since she and guitarist Whit Smith cooked up the combo in 1996. On her self-titled debut, she steps out and steps up with a big-time [...]
