NEW RELEASES
(Received August 25-September 24)

49 SPECIAL—No Label, No Number (compact disc)

BOYS FROM CAROLINA
COUNTY LINE
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

ASHLEIGH CAUDILL
FRUIT OF THE VINE
No Label, AC0002 (compact disc)

TOMMY CONNOR
GOOD ’N COUNTRY II
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

DR. ELMO
BLUEGRASS CHRISTMAS
Time-Life 25894D (compact disc)

JANE GERMAIN & IAN SIMPSON
LONESOME ROAD
Squeaky Wheel Music 001 (compact disc)

HONEY DEWDROPS
THESE OLD ROOTS
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

HUNT FAMILY BLUEGRASS
OKLAHOMA WIND
Rock Springs Records RSR 004 (compact disc)

DALE JETT & HELLO STRANGER
GOING DOWN THE VALLEY
Wampiland Music, No Number (compact disc)

LONESOME MEADOW
CARRY ME AWAY
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

THIERRY MASSOUBRE & JEFFERSON LOUVAT
A WALK WITH YOU
Acoustic Music Records 319.1448.2 (compact disc)

KEN MELLONS
RURAL ROUTE
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

BOBBY MILLER AND THE VIRGINIA DAREDEVILS
BROTHER, ADIEU
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

JESSE McREYNOLDS & FRIENDS
SONGS OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD
Woodstock Records WR33 (compact disc)

NEW COUNTY GRASS
START THE WHOLE THING OVER
Old Homestead Records OHCD90224 (compact disc)

NO ONE YOU KNOW
CALM BEFORE THE STORM
Mountain Fever Records MFR100831 (compact disc)

THOMAS PORTER
No Label, TKP1V0001 (compact disc)

RIVER BOY
ACOUSTIC BLUEGRASS MUSIC
River Boy Music, No Number (compact disc)

RUBBER KNIFE GANG
DRIVIN’ ON
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

IAN SIMPSON & JOHN KANE
THE BANJO
ABC Music 2744644 (compact disc)

STEELDRIVERS
RECKLESS
Rounder Records 1166106242 (compact disc)

STONEY CREEK BLUEGRASS BAND
HOT OFF THE PRESS
No Label, SC101 (compact disc)

SWANSON FAMILY
TWO IN THE MORNING
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

RHONDA VINCENT
TAKEN
Upper Mgmt. Music UM 001 (compact disc)

VOLUME FIVE
DOWN IN A CELL
Mountain Fever Records MFR100817 (compact disc)

ADDITIONAL RELEASES
By Les McIntyre

LONESOME TRAVELER
LOOKING FOR A WAY
No Label, LTBB1007.

Looking For A Way is the third project from Colorado’s Lonesome Traveler. Produced by Gene Libbea, it features 11 numbers mostly composed by various band-members including “Chasin’ A Dream,” “Howlin’ Harlan Wind,” and the peppery instrumental “Camp Daddy Reel.” Of special note is the band’s interpretation of Gretchen Peters’s “If Wishes Were Horses.” Looking For A Way is basic bluegrass at its finest and sure to be instantly popular with those familiar with the music of Lonesome Traveler. (Jodi Boyce, 1125 W. Broadmoor Dr., Loveland, CO 80527, www.lonesometravelerband.com.)

RICHARD D. HENRY
A LONG WAY FROM HOME
No Label, No Number.

Some may be familiar with Richard D. Henry through his association with the band Bluegrass Solution. For this latest recording project, Richard has gathered a host of top pickers including Scott Vestal (banjo), Dennis Crouch (bass), and others to help record a dozen of his own songs. He proves to be both an effective songwriter and lead singer as he glides through “Help Me Drive The Blues Away,” “Mountain Melody,” “My Heart’s On The Run,” and “That Glory Bound Express.” This is bluegrass with a strong dose of originality. Listeners should find much to savor with A Long Way From Home. (Richard Henry, 11018 Cedarview Dr., Houston, TX 77041, www.thebluegrasssolution.com.)

FAIRVIEW AVENUE
No Label, No Number.

Fairview Avenue is a contemporary bluegrass band based in Albany, N.Y. Members include Elizabeth Hopkins (bass and vocals), Scott Hopkins (banjo and vocals), Morrie Safford (guitar and vocals), and Tony Califano (mandolin and vocals). With the exception of “Are You Tired Of Me My Darling” and a George Jones tune “You’re Still On My Mind,” the remaining ten tracks are originals written by various bandmembers including “Blue Mountain Whiskey,” “Hudson Valley Train,” an excellent gospel rendering “Walking On The Water,” and the instrumental “Plankton.” Each bandmember takes a turn on lead vocals, lending a degree of variety to the project. Fairview Avenue demonstrates that they have the potential to reach audiences far beyond their New York base. (Scott Hopkins, P.O. Box 107, Altamont, NY 12009, www.fairviewavenuebluegrass.com.)

THE ADAM LARKEY BAND
Lonesome Records CD089.

Although only ten years old, fiddler and vocalist Adam Larkey is an accomplished musician, readily apparent upon listening to this album. Produced by Adam Steffey, this 12-song collection should not be overlooked. Other members include dad Eric (guitar and vocals), Joe Honeycutt (mandolin and vocals), Josh Doss (guitar), Josh Hamm (banjo), and others. Adam is lead vocalist on five selections including “Blue Virginia Blues,” “Some Old Day,” and “You Don’t Know My Mind.” Eric is lead vocal on “Cold Sheets Of Rain” and “Love Of The Mountains.” Instrumental selections include “Nashville Skyline Rag,” “Ragtime Annie,” and Adam’s own “Unicoi County. This production highlights the fine talents of Adam Larkey, a young man who certainly has a bright future in front of him. (Lonesome Records, 219 Wood Ave. E., Big Stone Gap, VA 24219, www.adamlarkeyband.com.)

TRUMAN’S RIDGE
LONG WAY HOME
No Label, No Number.

Truman’s Ridge is a four-piece bluegrass quartet from Sycamore, Ill. Their second release combines the originals “I Cry Alone,” “The Girl I Dreamed Of,” and the instrumental “Pruschnya,” along with familiar titles “Long Black Veil,” “Walls Of Time,” and “Nine Pound Hammer.” Instrumentally, the group is fairly solid throughout the 17 selections. However, the vocal harmonies falter in places, most apparent on the group’s tepid rendition of “Old Flames.” Regardless of any glitches, Long Way Home should find favor among the fans and followers of Truman’s Ridge. (Truman’s Ridge, 1580 John St., Sycamore, IL 60178, www.trumansridge.com.)

SOUTHPAW BLUEGRASS BAND
PLACE BACK HOME
No Label, SPBB002.

This latest offering from Nebraska’s Southpaw Bluegrass Band is similar in scope to their previous effort (BU, Jan. ’09). This 22-track collaboration consists entirely of band originals. Titles include “Two Story Outhouse,” “Saddest Man In Town,” “Nine In The Mine,” and the instrumental “Trail Ridge.” The Southpaw Bluegrass Band has once again come out with a collection of regional bluegrass that should prove to be a popular commodity at the band’s record table. (David Fleming, 13571 Walnut St., Omaha, NE 68144, www.southpawbluegrassband.com.)

CUSTOM MADE BLUEGRASS
BIG BARN ROAD
No Label, No Number.

Custom Made Bluegrass consists of Joe Young (fiddle), Steve Maynard (banjo, resonator guitar, and vocals), Van Ramey (guitar and vocals), Ron Bowling (mandolin and vocals), and Jeff Blackburn (bass and vocals). Big Barn Road is the band’s latest project of 13 songs written by Bowling, Ramey and Maynard. Several of the selections including “Soldier’s Wish” and “Old Soldier” follow an obvious patriotic theme. Other titles include “Lonesome Kentucky Bluegrass Blues,” “Mama’s Wildwood Flower,” “Aunt Ollie,” and the instrumental “Full Stride.” Dean Osborne’s liner notes add luster to this nicely arranged production. (Ronald Bowling, 400 Security Trust Bldg., 271 W. Short St., Lexington, KY 40507, www.custommadebluegrass.com.)

ON THE EDGE

B.J. BLUE WITH BRITTANY ALLYN
THE PLATINUM DUETS UNPLUGGED
Cosmopolitan Country Records CCR1023091.

Although this latest release from the duo of B.J. Blue and Brittany Allyn features a host of top bluegrass pickers (Scott Vestal, Randy Kohrs, Josh Williams, to name a few), the results are more mainstream country and western music rather than bluegrass. But, good music is good music, regardless of style. B.J. and Brittany have selected oldies from the past and dressed them up as brand new vocal duets. The myriad of sources include Jim Stafford (“Spiders And Snakes”), “Let It Be Me” (the Everly Brothers), The Shirelles’ (“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”), Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson “Good Hearted Woman”), and eight others. While The Platinum Duets Unplugged is a first-class production, its greatest appeal should be with those already familiar with B.J. Blue and Brittany Allyn. (Cosmopolitan Country Records, P.O. Box 150208, Nashville, TN 37215, www.ccrrecords.net.)

WILL WHITE
RISE ABOVE
Whippoorwill Music, No Number.

Raised in the Southwest, Will White’s music style has a whirlwind of influences including bluegrass, oldtime Delta blues, gospel, and others. Rise Above is a 16-song collection, all written by White. Accompanying himself on guitar and banjo, he’s assisted by several other musicians including Byron Myhre (fiddle, guitar, and mandolin) and Dale Ulan (bass). “Fredericksburg 1862” is a haunting Civil War tale, while “I’ll Never Do Time Again” was inspired by the recent economic crisis. Stylistically, there is a world of difference from song to song. For example “Wild Flower” and “Climbin’” are performed in a distinctive bluegrass style, while “Firelight Waltz” have an old-time edge. Other noted selections include “Run Chicken Run,” “I Wanna Meet Jesus,” and “Baby You Put The Hurt On Me.” Rise Above is acoustic music with a hint of bluegrass that could be of interest to those looking for something just a little different. Will White, 2204 9th Ave. NW, Calgary, AB, Canada, TN2 1E6, (www.willwhitemusic.com.)

COMPILATIONS AND REISSUES

THE HOTMUD FAMILY—THE COMPLETE VETCO RECORDINGS—No label, No Number. A lovely and complete replication of all four of the Hotmud Family’s Vetco LPs on two CDs. Fifty-five songs. Musicians include Suzanne Thomas, Dave Edmundson, Rick Good, Van Kidwell, Peach Hampton, and Tom Harley Campbell. Liner notes by Jon Hartley Fox. Songs include “If You Don’t Love Your Neighbor,” “I’m Looking For The Stone,” “The Singer,” and “Rock Salt And Nails.” Reissued by Tom Harley Campbell and Rick Good. (Harley Campbell, 5650 Fitzgerald Rd., Trumansburg, NY 14886, www.hotmudfamily.com.)

LITTLE ROY LEWIS AND THE LEWIS FAMILY—GOSPEL TRAIN—Gusto GT721612. Ten songs, eight instrumentals, and two vocals. Vocals include “Rank Strangers To Me” and “Brighten The Corner Where You Are.” Instrumentals included “Battle Hymn Of The Republic” and “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” (Gusto Records, 1900 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210, www.gospelusa.com.)

BILL MONROE—BILL MONROE & FRIENDS AND STARS OF THE BLUEGRASS HALL OF FAME—Raven Records RVCD327. Twenty songs from the above MCA albums plus three bonus tracks from the MCA album Bluegrass ’87. The first pairs Monroe with country stars such as Willie Nelson and Barbara Mandrell; the second pairs him with bluegrass greats Jim & Jesse, Ralph Stanley, and the Seldom Scene, among others. Songs include “Blue Moon Of Kentucky,” “Mighty Dark To Travel,” and “True Life Blues.” (Raven Records, P.O. Box 2027, East Ivanhoe, Vic 3079, Australia.)

STONES RIVER RANCH BOYS —FIDDLIN’ AROUND—Gusto GT721602
STONES RIVER RANCH BOYS —GOSPEL FAVORITES—Gusto GT721602.

Two separate projects. The first features 18 instrumentals such as “Arkansas Traveler, “Westphalia Waltz,” and “Black Mountain Rag.” The second features 15 gospel songs including “Farther Along,” “Angel Band,” and “Holy, Holy, Holy.” (Gusto Records, 1900 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210, www.countrymusicusa.com.)