Ricky Skaggs (with Eddie Dean) “Kentucky Traveler: My Life In Music ” Dey Street Books, Publisher Ricky Skaggs has lived a life of music and he’s not done yet. Most folks would be proud of having accomplished in their lifetime what he does in a year. Mr. Skaggs decided a few years ago to write […]
Tag: mandolin
Mr. Sun: “The People Need Light”
Mr. Sun “The People Need Light” Compass Records To say that Mr. Sun is a four-piece string band is both praise and diminishment. The band owes as much to David Grisman and Stephane Grappelli as it does to Bill Monroe. Mr. Sun could sit in with each and tear up the room. In fact, most […]
Matt Flinner Trio: “Traveling Roots”
Matt Flinner Trio “Traveling Roots” Compass Records Matt Flinner has a full plate; he plays and has an active online teaching portal in which he helps his students master mandolin techniques and styles. Flinner is not a road warrior; he picks and chooses his dates, touring in short bites. The conceit of “Traveling Roots” is […]
Interview: Frank Solivan
Frank Solivan Has Friends To no-one’s surprise, Frank Solivan is carving a solid career in Bluegrass music. After serving as stalwart in Country Current, the Navy’s touring bluegrass band, Solivan left the service and formed Dirty Kitchen, which is a hat-tip to his background and continuing efforts as a chef. Solivan grew up in an […]
Mandolin Orange In Concert
Mandolin Orange In Concert One Longfellow Square Portland, Maine August 16, 2015 Mandolin Orange presents a simple picture: two members, sharing fiddle, mandolin and guitar and two powerful voices. As Mandolin Orange, Emily Franz and Andrew Marlin command the room. The duo formed in Carrboro, North Carolina a few years back, and have released an […]
John Reischman and The Jaybirds: “On That Other Green Shore”
John Reischman and The Jaybirds “On That Other Green Shore” Corvus Records John Reischman has been a leading bluegrass mandolinist for decades. He spends most of his time in the Pacific Northwest these days and continues to make sweet bluegrass music with his band, The Jaybirds. “On That Other Green Shore” has just the right […]
Joe K. Walsh: “Borderland”
Joe K. Walsh “Borderland” Mountain Home Records Mandolin may be an acquired taste for some. It’s others’ lifeblood. Joe K. Walsh is an estimable mandolinist whose musical bloodline traces back to David Grisman and Bill Monroe. Walsh’s new release, “Borderland” is a sweet and tasty, but complex collection of mandolin musicianship. Walsh has played with […]
Frank Solivan: “Family, Friends and Heroes”
Frank Solivan “Family, Friends and Heroes” Compass Records Imagine yourself on a grassy bank, or in a camp chair, settling in on a steamy summer day, with a group of friends playing bluegrass music. Frank Solivan’s new release, “Family, Friends and Heroes” transports the listener to that place. Solivan’s world of bluegrass is high and […]
Della Mae In Concert Port City Music Hall Portland, Maine May 31, 2015
Della Mae In Concert Port City Music Hall Portland, Maine May 31, 2015 Della Mae give it their all. In the midst of a Northeast run in support of their self-titled Rounder release, “Della Mae”, the band took the Port City Music Hall stage on a rainy Sunday evening and displayed their total command of […]
Della Mae: “Della Mae ”
Della Mae “Della Mae ” Rounder Records The time has come to drop the label “female bluegrass band”, as applied to Della Mae. With their second, self-titled, Rounder Records release, Della Mae is simply one of the most accomplished bluegrass acts on the circuit today. The four Dellas (they are a four-piece band on this […]