(Received July 25-August 24)
ACOUSTIC BLUE
THIS IS NOW
No Label, No Number (compact disc)
AMANDA & SCOTT ANDERSON
ANOTHER DAY
Mato 1314 (compact disc)
CYPRESS CREEK OF TENNESSEE
YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
No Label, No Number (compact disc)
DIRT ROAD SWEETHEART
I HEARD THE BLUEBIRDS SING
No Label, BPR1111 (compact disc)
TOM GODLESKI & BUNCOMBE TURNPIKE
DITCH DIGGIN’ BLUES
No Label, No Number (compact disc)
HAGAR’S MOUNTAIN BOYS
FOREVER YOURS
No Label, No Number (compact disc)
JACKIE HILL AND THE BLUE SHADES OF GRASS
IF THAT AIN’T BLUEGRASS
No Label, No Number (compact disc)
HONEY DON’T
2DollarReccas TDR005 (compact disc)
THE LIEDSTRAND FAMILY
IN HARMONY
Mt. Wow CD 001 (compact disc)
JOEL MABUS
NO WORRIES NOW…
Fossil Records, 2009 (compact disc)
NEW LOST CITY RAMBLERS IN: ALWAYS BEEN A RAMBLER
A FILM BY YASHA AGINSKY
Arhoolie Foundation AFDVD 204 (DVD)
RED MOUNTAIN
THROW THE OLD COW OVER THE FENCE
Whoop It Up! 104 (compact disc)
LOU REID & CAROLINA
MY OWN SET OF RULES
Rural Rhythm RHY1051 (compact disc)
SAWMILL ROAD 2
FIRE ON THE KETTLE
SMR Records SMR 102 (compact disc)
RICKY SKAGGS—SOLO
SONGS MY DAD LOVED
Skaggs Family 0989010092 (compact disc)
SKINNY & THE BOOTLEGGERS
GOT MOONSHINE!
No Label, No Number (compact disc)
SONGS FROM THE ROAD BAND
AS THE CROW FLIES
Lucks Dumpy Toad Records 1002 (compact disc)
SOUTHERN RAIL
ON THE ROAD FROM APPOMATTOX
Railway Records SRCD0609 (compact disc)
DAVID VIA
ALL NIGHT LONG
DigOMatic Records, No Number (compact disc)
WAITIN ON A TRAIN
Apple Snitch Records CD001 (compact disc)
WHEELER
Mountain Roads Recordings MRR1006 (compact disc)
BEN WINSHIP & DAVID THOMPSON
FISHING MUSIC II
Snake River Records SRR123 (compact disc)
ADDITIONAL RELEASES
By Les McIntyre
FACES MADE FOR RADIO
THE ACOUSTIC CONSPIRACY
Saron SAR9003
Faces Made For Radio has enjoyed a successful career with previous recordings to their credit (BU, Jan. and Sept. ’02). Similar to previous projects, this album is heavy with original material with a few standards tossed in for good measure. Despite personnel changes, the band has maintained a high standard that’s reflected throughout the dozen performances. Gary Fossaceca and Brad Williams are the group’s main composers, contributing the selections “Talkin’ Trash,” “Sixty-Six Days,” and “The New Psychobilly Cadillac.” Also included are renditions of “The Roving Gambler,” “Sugar Baby,” and the Bailes Brothers’ “Travelin’ The Highway Home.” “Acoustic Conspiracy” is another delightful collection of bluegrass music. (Saron Acoustic Recording, 7326 SR 19, Unit 2003, Mount Gilead, OH 43338.)
THE BLUE CANYON BOYS
HOUSE FULL OF SORROW
No Label BCBCD-003
The Blue Canyon Boys is a band on the rise as evidenced by its first-place contest finish at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. “House Full Of Sorrow” is their third release (BU, July ’06 and July ’07) with of 14 selections, almost half of which are originals. The performances reflect a high level of perfection with dynamic instrumentation and exhilarating vocal harmonies. Among the selections are ”Lyin’, Cheatin’, Cryin’,” “Hello, Who’s Calling?,” and “You Better Get To Heaven.” From Every aspect, “House Full Of Sorrow” is the Blue Canyon Boys most successful recording to date, placing them on the fast track for more challenging ventures. (Blue Canyon Boys, P.O. Box 850, Eastlake, CO 80614, www.bluecanyonboys.com.)
JOHNNY BUTTEN & NEWGRASS UNDERGROUND
LATE IN THE DAY
No Label, No Number.
Bluegrass musician Johnny Butten has apparently spent the last few years performing in Europe and recently relocated to the United States. This release features eight selections ably performed by Johnny and his band, the Newgrass Underground, including a jazzed-up rendition of “Heavy Traffic Ahead” and Tim O’Brien’s “Late In The Day.” The disc concludes with Johnny’s 16-year-old daughter Hannah Butten’s interpretation of the Alison Krauss classic “Oh Atlanta.” This CD is a nice offering of mainstream bluegrass that should pique interest in the music of Johnny Butten and the Newgrass Underground. (Johnny Butten, 23428 90th Ave N., Hawley, MN 56549, www.johnnybutten.com.)
THE STANLEYTONES
WOMEN MAKE ME ACT LIKE A FOOL
No Label, No Number.
The Stanleytones currently consists of Jim Bertolin (banjo, guitar, resonator guitar, and vocals), James T. Davis (guitar and vocals), Joel Denman (fiddle and vocals), Darrell Cox (mandolin and vocals), and Luke Eisenhauer (bass and vocals). This 13-song disc is a mix of original material along with old stalwarts such as “Angeline The Baker,” “Will You Miss Me,” and “In Despair.” Jim Bertolin is the band’s prime songwriter and contributes several numbers including the title song, “The Arkansas Hogscraper” and a new version of “I Don’t Drink Whiskey.” “Women Make Me Act Like A Fool” is regional bluegrass at its finest, with the potential to reach out to other audiences. (Stanleytones, 1308 Spruce Ave., Longmont, CO 80501, www.stanleytonesbluegrass.com.)
MARK BRINE
LIVE IN A FIELD OF BLUEGRASS
Wild Oats Records OAT-847
While Mark Brine may not be a household name, he apparently has a loyal following. This set of performances were recorded live at various venues/shows including the Woodsongs Old-time Radio Hour, in Washington, D.C., with Bob Perilla and Big Hillbilly Bluegrass, at the TCAN Performance Center, and at a songwriter’s workshop at the GreyFox Bluegrass Festival. Performances include “The Briley Boys” and Jimmie Rodgers’s “California Blues.” Also included are Mark’s own ”Dear Jesse,” “Factory Boy,” and the whimsical “Fred (The Yodeling Pig).” “Live In A Field Of Bluegrass” is a delightful overview of Mark Brine’s repertoire. (Wild Oats Records, P.O. Box 210982, Nashville, TN 37221, www.wildoatsrecords.com.)
ANDY HAMILTON & EAST KENTUCKY GRASS
FLYIN’ HIGH OVER YOU
No Label, No Number.
This latest release from Andy Hamilton and East Kentucky Grass is a 16-track collection of common bluegrass selections performed with finesse and dexterity. Featured are successful renditions of “Hold What You Got,” “Who Will Sing For Me,” “Lee Highway Blues,” and others. While the absence of composer credits and detailed liner notes detracts from the overall quality of the production, there is still a plethora of mainstream bluegrass that should please the band’s followers. (Andy Hamilton, 8388 Swanger Rd., Shiloh, OH 44878.)
CLIFF PERRY AND LAUREL BLISS
SPIRIT OF LOVE
Telegraph Music 2323.
The duo of Cliff Perry (guitar and vocals) and Laurel Bliss (resonator guitar and vocals) has a large following that extends beyond their Pacific Northwest home. “Spirit Of Love” is their second release and includes 13 selections drawn from sources such as the Carter Family (“Oh Take Me Back”), Will S. Hayes (“You’ve Been A Friend To Me”), the Bailey Brothers (“Take Me Back To Happy Valley”), and the Louvin Brothers (“Whispering Now”). Also included are renditions of “Goin’ Across The Sea” and “We Shall Meet Someday.” Anyone who appreciates old-time duets in the style of bygone groups like the Blue Sky Boys and Ray and Ina Patterson, “Spirit of Love” is musical collection waiting to be explored. (Laurel Bliss, 1715 Wilson Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225, e-mail: laurelblissmusic@gmail.com.)
KATE LEE WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED
LIVE IN CONCERT
No Label, No Number.
This latest release from fiddler/vocalist Kate Lee along with her band, No Strings Attached, is similar in content to her other recent projects (BU, April and Nov. ’08). Recorded at radio station WXXI before a live audience, Kate and her band perform ten numbers, several of which were featured on other projects (“Are We There Yet,” “Beige,” and “Fields Of Gold”). In between numbers, Kate is interviewed about the band and her music. Noted performances include “Steel Rails” and the instrumentals “Beaumont Rag” and “Angelina’s Detour.” “Live In Concert” effectively showcases the talents of Kate Lee and No Strings Attached in a live venue. (Kate Lee, P.O. Box 8221, Webster, NY 14580, www.kateleemusic.com.)
BOOKS
ON THE EDGE
MEL BAY PRESENTS BLUEGRASS ON HAMMERED DULCIMER
BY JEANNE PAGE
MB 20807. (Mel Bay Publications, Inc., #4 Industrial Dr., Pacific, MO 63069, www.melbay.com.)
Here is a somewhat different instructional program that unites bluegrass music with the hammered dulcimer. Compiled by musician Jeanne Page, Bluegrass On The Hammered Dulcimer is the latest in a series of instructional programs arranged for the hammered dulcimer. This 55-page book includes arrangements of 55 bluegrass favorites including “Big Mon,” “Bluegrass Stomp,” “Jerusalem Ridge,” “Cherokee Shuffle,” and others. Any aficionado of the hammered dulcimer will find much to savor in this collection of tunes that can significantly add to their basic repertoire.
WESTERN SWING LEAD GUITAR STYLES
BY JOE CARR
MB 98953BCD.
MEL BAY’S SCHOOL OF COUNTRY GUITAR
BY JOE CARR
MB 21506BCD. (Mel Bay Publications, Inc., #4 Industrial Drive, Pacific, MO 63069, www.melbay.com.)
These two Mel Bay instruction programs compiled by guitarist Joe Carr have an indirect relationship with bluegrass. Western Swing Lead Guitar Styles is specifically designed to assist students in honing their skills on the guitar, western swing style. This 48-page booklet presents an illustration of chord formula and progressions along with samples of sample solos and riffs. School Of Country Guitar is for aspiring guitarists whose interests lean more toward contemporary country music. The program of instruction presents a series of lessons for guitarists with intermediate skills. Included are versions of songs like “Under The Double Eagle,” “Cripple Creek,” “Devil’s Dream,” and others. Each booklet also includes a compact disc with examples of the lessons. While these two instruction programs are primarily designed for the electric guitar, they do contain elements that can be adapted to other genres, including bluegrass.
COMPILATIONS AND REISSUES
DOUG COX
WITHOUT WORDS
Black Hen Music BH CD-0056.
Thirteen numbers featuring the resonator and slide guitar of Canadian roots musician Doug Cox. Other musicians include Tony Trischka and John Reischman. Songs include “Birdland,” “Caravan,” and “Red Haired Raga.” (Black Hen Music, P.O. Box 95105, Kingsgate RPO, Vancouver, BC, V5T 4T8, Canada, www.blackhenmusic.com.)
HARRY LIEDSTRAND, CARY LUNG, DAVID GREEN
TRADITIONAL FIDDLE TUNES
Philo Records HL CD 001.
Sixteen old-time fiddle tunes played with fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. Originally recorded in 1973 for Philo, but never released. Tunes include “Rattlesnake Bit The Baby,” “Stealing Apples,” and “Jaybird.” (Harry Liedstrand, P.O. Box 2277, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, www.mtwow.com.)