NEW RELEASES
(Received April 25-May 24)

BILL AND MAGGIE ANDERSON
THE MASTER’S GARDEN
No Label, VAM08 (compact disc)

BOBBY ATKINS & THE COUNTRYMEN
I’D RATHER HAVE JESUS
Thunderbolt Records TB15005 (compact disc)

RONNIE BOWMAN
BLUEGRASS BARITONE SINGING FEATURING RONNIE BOWMAN
Dark Shadow Records, No Number (compact disc)

RUSSELL MOORE
BLUEGRASS TENOR SINGING FEATURING RUSSELL MOORE
Dark Shadow Records, No Number (compact disc)

GREG BROOKS
HEROS AND FRIENDS
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

COALTOWN DIXIE
HOTTER THAN A COAL BURNIN’ FIRE
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

EARL BROTHERS
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

IF TROUBLE DON’T KILL ME
BY RALPH BERRIER, JR.
Crown Group 9780307463067 (book)

JENI & BILLY
LONGING FOR HEAVEN
Jewell Ridge Records 005 (compact disc)

KELLER & THE KEELS
THIEF
SCI Fidelity SCIFI 1139 (compact disc)

LEIPER’S FORK BLUEGRASS
RISE AND WALK
No Label, LFBG1004 (compact disc)

LEIPER’S FORK BLUEGRASS
SIGN OF THE TIMES
No Label, LFBG1003 (compact disc)

MAKE UP YOUR OWN BANJO SOLOS
BY PETE WERNICK
Homespun DVDWER5022 (DVD)

JUNIOR SISK AND RAMBLERS CHOICE
HEARTACHES AND DREAMS
Rebel Records REBCD1837 (compact disc)

SPECIAL CONSENSUS
35
Compass Records 745412 (compact disc)

JODY STECHER & KATE BRISLIN
RETURN
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

THEA WESCOTT
CROMWELL…AND OTHER ROADS
No Label, BWP113009CD (compact disc)

PAUL WILLIAMS & THE VICTORY TRIO
JUST A LITTLE CLOSER HOME
Rebel Records REBCD1835 (compact disc)

ADDITIONAL RELEASES
By Les McIntyre

DIAMOND HEAD MOUNTAIN
THE STAINED GLASS IMAGE
No Label, No Number.

Diamond Head Mountain is a five-piece band consisting of Daniel Patrick (banjo), Ralph Martin (guitar and vocals) Gene Dobbs (bass and vocals), Larry Baker (guitar and vocals) and Chris Turner (mandolin). The Stained Glass Image is the group’s debut recording—a gospel collection of original material, most written by bandmember Gene Dobbs. The band’s vocals reflect a kinship to southern gospel groups. The 11 selections were inspired by personal experiences, such as “Rose, The Piano Player” that concerns a lady from the church the bandmembers attend. Other numbers include “When You Hear The Devil Knockin’,” “Don’t Tempt Jesus,” and “God Came Today For Mother.” For their first effort, Diamond Head Mountain has created an inspirational collage of gospel music that should earn widespread attention. (Gene Dobbs, 3362 Dobbs Ln., California, KY 41007, <www.dhmbluegrass.com>.)

TOMORROW’S NEWS
BECKY & BILLY
No Label, TN002.

Becky & Billy is the second release from the Florida group Tomorrow’s News. The 12 tracks include the familiar tunes “Matterhorn,” “Clinch Mountain Backstep,” “Those Memories Of You,” and “Oh Atlanta.” Two exceptions are bandmember Kalyn Hall’s “Good Things” and the title song written by family friend Samuel Kistner. Highlights include the lead vocals and soaring harmonies of Victor and Kalyn Hall. Becky & Billy is contemporary bluegrass at its finest and certain to win new fans for Tomorrow’s News. (Darlene Bass, P.O. Box 1777, Okeechobee, FL 34973, <www.tomorrowsnewsband.com>.)

THE WHITETOP MOUNTAINEERS
GO AWAY WITH ME, MUSIC FROM VIRGINIA’S HILLS AND HOLLERS
High Country Recordings HCR-001.

Martha Spencer (banjo, fiddle, guitar, dulcimer, and vocals) and Jackson Cunningham (guitar, mandolin, banjo, and vocals) are members of Southwest Virginia’s Whitetop Mountain Band (BU, July ’09). They also perform as the White Top Mountaineers as featured in this collection of 15 old-time melodies drawn from sources such as Estil Ball (“Trials, Troubles, Tribulations”), Byrd Moore (“When The Snowflakes Fall Again”), Ola Belle Reed (“You Don’t Tell Me That You Love Me Anymore”), and John Carson (“Honest Farmer”). Other entries include “Poor Sinner Fare Ye Well,” Martha’s own “Home Is Where The Fiddle Rings,” and a Wilburn Brothers country classic “Go Away With Me.” Martha Spencer and Jackson Cunningham have here a magnificent collection of duets and must listening for anyone who treasures traditional values. (Whitetop Mountaineers, 6586 Highlands Pkwy., Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363, www.whitetopmountaineers.com.)

MAW
ADVICE FOR THE YOUNG AND FOOLISH
Bluegill BG005.

On their Web site, Maw describes themselves as “…a group of women who like to sing and play cheery little songs, mostly about death and destruction.” Their latest release blends old-time favorites such as “Little Glass Of Wine,” “Cluck Old Hen,” “What’ll I Do With The Baby-O?,” along with several original tunes. Tracy Floreani (guitar and vocals) contributed the title song, along with “The Dowry Mule” and “Factory Boy,” while Jeanie Wells (banjo, guitar, and vocals) offers “Venus Eyes” and “Laundry Song.” Other performances include Ola Belle Reed’s “You Led Me To The Wrong” and the traditional “Starry Crown.” Advice To The Young And Foolish is old-time music with a touch of originality that teems with enthusiasm and mirth. Hopefully, there will be other similar productions from the fertile minds of the members of Maw. (Maw, 1621 Rhode Island, Lawrence, KS 66044, www.listentoyourmaw.com.)

THE TADCASTERS
No Label, No Number.

The Tadcasters is a trio acoustic group that performs regularly in and around Covington, Ky., and Cincinnati, Ohio. The group consists of Bill Littleford (guitar, bass guitar, percussion, and vocals), Nick Laboffe (mandolin and vocals), and Matt Wiesenhahn (banjo, harmonica, and vocals). This self-titled disc is their debut and features seven original numbers including “Out Of Frets,” “Baggy Bones,” and “Jesse’s War.” While their style isn’t strictly bluegrass, it does contain bluegrass overtones. This abbreviated (seven tracks) production should be appreciated by those already familiar with the music of the Tadcasters. (Bill Littleford, 3905 Lewis Cir., Erlanger, KY 41018, www.thetadcasters.com.)

.357 STRING BAND
LIGHTNING FROM THE NORTH
No Label, No Number.

Lightning From The North is the third release from Wisconsin’s .357 String Band and, with the exception of “Milwaukee Here I Come,” all the tunes are original and include “Half Tank Of Gas, Full Tank Of Lies,” “Head Under My Heel,” “Dust Devil” and “Darkness In My Soul.” The group’s style is acoustic music in hyperdrive. With few exceptions, the songs are performed at a frantic pace. While this might be okay in front of a live audience, it quickly becomes monotonous in recorded format. Also, the sound effects closing out the final track are downright annoying. Lightning From The North should be most appreciated by those hearty souls who have witnessed .357 String Band in person. (Derek Dunn, 2935 N. Weil St. #3, Milwaukee, WI 53212, www.357stringband.com.)

THE COAL PORTERS
DURANGO
Prima Records SID 023.

The latest from the Coal Porters is similar to their previous endeavor (BU, Jul ’08). Most of the 13 selections were written by bandmembers Sid Griffin, Dick Smith, and Neil Herd. Also featured are guest musicians Tim O’Brien (mandolin on “Roadkill Breakdown) and Peter Rowan (guitar and vocals on “Moonlight Midnight”). The band is at their finest on “No More Chains,” “The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Oil,” and “Like A Hurricane.” Also featured are the traditional standards “Pretty Polly” and “Sail Away, Ladies!” “Durango” is another significant milestone for the Coal Porters, proving why they are one of Europe’s most prolific contemporary bluegrass bands. (Prima Records, P.O. Box 2539, London, England NW3 6DF, U.K., www.myspace.com/thecoalporters.)

BOBBY ATKINS & THE COUNTRYMEN
MEMORIES OF LESTER FLATT & EARL SCRUGGS OF THE 1950s
Thunderbolt Records TB-1923.

The title of this recording from Bobby Atkins and the Countrymen is somewhat misleading in that only four of the twelve tracks are associated with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs (“Head Over Heels In Love With You,” “Cabin In Caroline,” “Down The Road,” and “Someday We’ll Meet Again Sweetheart”). The remaining selections include John Denver’s “Country Roads,” the Kitty Wells heart song “How Far Is Heaven,” and the Jim & Jesse instrumental “Border Ride.” Still, the performances are well-executed and should be eagerly welcomed by fans of Bobby Atkins and the Countrymen. (Thunderbolt Records, 1109 Cleburne St., Greensboro, NC 27408, e-mail: thunderboltrecords@aol.com.)

ON THE EDGE

DEREK KROGH
BANJONATOR
No Label, No Number.

Derek Krogh is a banjo picker from the San Francisco Bay Area. Although this latest project has some bluegrass content, it may not appeal to many bluegrass purists. Derek is featured on both the acoustic and electric banjo often accompanied by saxophone, organ, drums or cello. Several tracks including “Cripple Creek,” “Livewire,” and “Down East” utilize basic bluegrass instrumentation. However, most other tracks are heavily electrified. Banjonator is certainly an interesting project, but will probably appeal more to those not afraid to explore the unusual. (Mighty Tobar Prod., PO Box 277, La Honda, CA 94020, e-mail: banjomatic@earthlink.com.)

NOTORIOUS
ELKINS
Black Socks CD27.

This CD challenges the boundaries of bluegrass and old-time music. Notorious is a quartet consisting of Larry Unger (guitar, banjo, and bass), Eden MacAdam-Somer (fiddle and vocals), Sam Bartlett (mandolin and Jew’s harp), Mark Hellensberg (banjo, ukulele, and percussion). Elkins features a total of 16 tracks from a variety of sources. Jay and Eden wrote “Sarah Jane,” “Jolly Jack’s Polka,” and “Rodeo Clown Rag.” One of the more haunting melodies is “River Falls,” inspired by a lodge in South Carolina. Also included are the traditional pieces “All Night Long” and “Henry Reed’s Breakdown.” Also included are several selections from Romanian and Yiddish sources. Elkins is an engaging collection that offers something for those who appreciate traditional folk music regardless of the source. (Black Socks Press, P.O. Box 6322, Lincoln, MA 01773, www.notoriousfolk.com.)

BOOK

MY FIRST BLUEGRASS GUITAR PICKING SONGS
BY STEVE KAUFMAN
Mel Bay MB20793BCD. (Mel Bay Publications, #4 Industrial Dr., Pacific, MO 63069, www.melbay.com.)

In this 36-page book, Steve Kaufman teaches the basics of guitar picking including learning chords, reading tablature, strumming techniques and others subjects. Other lessons include several songs to learn including “Old Joe Clark,” “Cripple Creek,” “Flop-Eared Mule,” and “Golden Slippers” among others. Accompanying the book is a CD containing samples of all the lessons. My First Bluegrass Guitar Picking Songs is designed to teach the basic techniques of guitar picking from one of the most respected musicians in bluegrass music.

COMPILATIONS AND REISSUES
By Murphy Hicks Henry

ROLAND WHITE
I WASN’T BORN TO ROCK AND ROLL
Tompkins Square TSQ2400.

Thirteen songs, originally released in 1976 on Ridge Runner. Musicians include Alan Munde, Roger Bush, Kenny Wertz, Dave Ferguson, and Slim Richey. Songs include “Kansas City Railroad Blues,” “Texas Gales,” “Live And Let Live,” and “The Prisoner’s Song.” (Tompkins Square, 66 Allen St. No. 3F, New York, NY 10002, www.tompkinsquare.com.)

VARIOUS ARTISTS
DARK AS A DUNGEON: SONGS OF THE MINES
Rebel Records REB-CD-7510.

Fourteen songs by various artists. Songs included “Paradise,” “Dark As A Dungeon,” “Dream Of A Miner’s Child,” and “Call The Captain.” Artists include Valerie Smith, Larry Sparks, Blue Highway, Perfect Strangers, and the Steep Canyon Rangers. (Rebel Records, P.O. Box 7405, Charlottesville, VA 22906, www.rebelrecords.com.)