David McPherson “The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern: A Complete History”

David McPherson “The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern: A Complete History” Dundurn Press (2017) The Horseshoe Tavern is a modest throwback bar which has endured through Toronto’s growth as an international city. Even today, it exists as an island amongst shiny steel and urban growth. It shares its DNA with the countless anachronistic outposts that dot the […]

Infamous Stringdusters: “Laws of Gravity”

Infamous Stringdusters “Laws of Gravity” Compass Records The Infamous Stringdusters have always been difficult to categorize. That’s part of their charm. Part traditional bluegrass (leaning on sound bluegrass instrumentation, namely guitar, Dobro, banjo, fiddle, and standup bass), part jam band (extended sets of songs in their live shows in which one song triggers another), and […]

Noam Pikelny: “Universal Favorite”

Noam Pikelny “Universal Favorite” Rounder Records Noam Pikelny is the most ingratiating musical iconoclast you’re likely to come across. He has deep roots in the Americana genre, and his playing, on banjo in most contexts, is precise and brilliant. Pikelny has produced a string of outstanding solo records, most recently “Universal Favorite”. Despite the success […]

The Infamous Stringdusters: “Undercover” EP

The Infamous Stringdusters “Undercover” EP Lumenhouse Recordings Known for their live shows, The Infamous Stringdusters constantly search to capture the delirium of their stage fusillades on record releases. The Stringdusters’ challenge flows, in part, from their conscious choice to stream virtually every live show for free (via Mixlr ) and to generously post, for little […]

O’Connor Band (featuring Mark O’Connor): “Comin’ Home”

O’Connor Band (featuring Mark O’Connor) “Comin’ Home” Rounder Records Mark O’Connor has covered a lot of ground in his musical career; starting as a prodigy on the fiddle, with such disparate mentors as Benny Thomassen and Stephane Grappelli. Back in the ’90’s he had a six-year run as CMA’s Musician of the Year. In addition […]