The Gibson Brothers Go To Ground There’s no more solid live bluegrass show than the Gibson Brothers. They play with great technical skill, and with crispness. Their harmonies are just what a brother act should be: sweet, true and never forced. The brothers, Leigh and Eric Gibson, surround themselves with outstanding sidemen with impeccable bluegrass […]
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Rhonda Vincent and The Rage: “All The Rage”
Rhonda Vincent and The Rage “All The Rage” Upper Management Records Rhonda Vincent has been a solid voice of bluegrass music since the 1970’s. She first performed with a family band (The Sally Mountain Show), before setting out on her own. Her career took a country turn for a few years, but she’s mostly a […]
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 […]
Nu-Blu: “Vagabonds”
Nu-Blu “Vagabonds” Voxhall Records In bluegrass music these days, accomplished pickers abound. Some say, however, that the soul of bluegrass music is in vocals. Sonny Osborne, an estimable banjo player, would often say that his brother Bobby’s vocals “paid for the farm”, despite The Osborne Brothers’ success as a bluegrass band. If the late Mr. […]
Mandolin Orange: “Blindfaller”
Mandolin Orange “Blindfaller” Yep Roc Records Emily Frantz and Andrew Marlin comprise Mandolin Orange, who have steadily travelled the country, building a following and delivering a spare, but true, sound with a great melodic appeal. Since Mandolin Orange’s debut album in 2010, the band has done a lot with their bare arrangements. Marlin carries the […]
Interview: Kristin Scott Benson
The Grascals Check In The Grascals are a well-established collection of players, featuring a six-piece mix of some of the most talented musicians in bluegrass. What happens when there’s some turnover in the lineup of an established band? It either gets better or goes home. With their new release “And Then There’s This…” on Mountain […]
The Lonesome Band: “Running Alone ”
It’s a little bit country, not very much bluegrass, a fair amount of thrash
Feature: The Infamous Stringdusters
The Infamous Stringdusters June 13, 2016 Nearly ten years on, The Infamous Stringdusters have carved out a singular place for themselves in the bluegrass/jamgrass world. The Stringdusters tour aggressively, are fixtures on the festival circuit, and have released several intriguing recording projects since late 2015: one, an EP of covers, including Tom Petty’s “American Girl”, […]
I Draw Slow: “Turn Your Face To The Sun”
I Draw Slow “Turn Your Face To The Sun” Compass Records Rich vocals and layered harmonies exemplify the sound of the Irish-bred American roots band, I Draw Slow. The vocals of siblings Louise and Dave Holden complement their songs, all originals, on “Turn Your Face To The Sun”. Dave Holden has a powerful alto resonance, […]