(Received June 25-July 24)

KELLIE ALLEN AND PETE PETERSON—I’LL NEVER FORSAKE YOU
Lutra Records LUTCD9001 (compact disc)

BARCELONA BLUEGRASS BAND—LLUIS GOMEZ & JOHN PAUL CUMELLAS
Monde Green Records KWCD234 (compact disc)

DEADWOOD REVIVAL—SAT 730
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

HOWARD “HOWDY” FORRESTER: THE MGM RECORDINGS
Spring Fed Records SFR105 (compact disc)

GRASSAHOL—JOY SHINE
Wall Holler Records, No Number (compact disc)

STEVE LUTKE—APPALACHIAN UPRISING
Ampersand Records CD008 (compact disc)

BRANDON RICKMAN—YOUNG MAN, OLD SOUL
Rural Rhythm RHY1046 (compact disc)

ROCKRIDGE BROTHERS—ROCKRIDGE HOLLERIN’
Red Rocking Recordings TRRB 004 (compact disc)

GLEN SIMPSON—PLAYIN’ IN THE HILLS
Tomato Gravy Records TG007 (compact disc)

SMOOTH KENTUCKY—A FEW MORE MILES
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

BRYAN SUTTON AND FRIENDS—ALMOST LIVE
Sugar Hill SUGCD4040 (compact disc)

TAR RIVER BOYS—BLUEGRASS AND MORE
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

VARIOUS ARTISTS—NORTH TO ONTARIO 2009
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

BRAD WOOD & FRIENDS—FOR A REASON
Cotton Top Records CTR52507 (compact disc)

COMPILATIONS AND REISSUES

THE LEWIS FAMILY—THE GOLDEN GOSPEL BEST OF THE LEWIS FAMILY
Gusto GT-2099-2
Ten cuts from vintage Lewis Family recordings. Songs include “One More River To Cross,” “Nearer Home,” and “Picture On The Wall.”
(Gusto-King Records, 1900 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210, www.gustorecords.com.)

THE LEWIS FAMILY—SONGS OF WALLACE LEWIS
Gusto GT7-2100-2
Ten songs written by Wallace Lewis, and originally recorded for Starday Records by the Lewis Family. Songs include “No Dark Shadows,” “There’s Joy Ahead,” and “I’ve Got A Home.”
(Gusto-King Records, 1900 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210, www.gustorecords.com.)

VARIOUS ARTISTS—BLUEGRASS BANDS AND HELPING HANDS, VOLUME ONE:
HEAVEN KNOWS WHERE WE’LL GO FROM HERE
No Label, No Number
Seventeen songs from various bands who donated their music and time to help North Georgia families devasted by job loss. Bands include the Stairwell Sisters, Steel String Session, the Barker Brothers, and Noah Collins. Songs include “Let Go Like Rain,” “Amazing Grace,” “Who’s To Blame,” and “Green Persimmon Trees.” (DOC-UP Ministries, P.O. Box 627, Dalton, GA 30722, www.bluegrassbandshelpinghands.com.)

ADDITIONAL RELEASES
By Les McIntyre

BLUE MAGGIE—THE NEAREST WAY
No Label, No Number
This latest collection from W.Va.’s Blue Maggie is a follow-up to their previous release (BU, Oct. ‘08). The lineup consists of 12 selections (plus a bonus track), all originals from bandmembers Richard (bass and vocals) and Cheryl Patrick (mandolin and vocals). The titles include “Bluegrass Lullaby,” “Walking In Stones,” and “Cigarettes And Black Coffee.” While the vocals tend to be rough in spots, there is still plenty of traditional-style original material for anyone who appreciates the music of Blue Maggie. (Blue Maggie Studios, 704 6th St., Charleston, WV 25302, www.bluemaggiebluegrass.com.)

DIANE McKOY—READY OR NOT HERE I COME
Deep South Productions
No Number
Some readers may be acquainted with Diane McKoy as a founding member of the New York City gospel group, the Singing Conquerors (BU, Aug. ’02). Her vocal talents have drawn praises from such luminaries as Dr. Ralph Stanley. “Ready Or Not Here I Come” is Diane’s debut solo project and features ten expertly performed gospel selections, including a pair of James Malicote compositions “God’s Garden” and “Saints Are Going Home.” Also featured is a relatively obscure Hank Williams gospel number, “I’m Going Home,” along with “Old Brush Arbor Days.” Diane is assisted by a host of outstanding guest pickers including fiddler Kenny Kosek and resonator guitarist Ben Freed. Anyone familiar with Diane’s music will know what to expect in “Ready Or Not Here I Come.” For anyone else, it would be a wonderful introduction to the talents of a truly remarkable lady. (Deep South Prod., P.O. Box 764, Manchaca, TX 78652, www.deepsouthaustin.com.)

BLAINE JOHNSON—BARN BURNIN’ BLUEGRASS
No Label, No Number
Blaine Johnson is a young banjo picker from West Virginia who has mastered the instrument with an incredible degree of dexterity. This all-instrumental release includes ten recognizable bluegrass standards such as “Earl’s Breakdown,” “Salt Creek,” and “Lonesome Road Blues.” All performed with an incredible degree of proficiency. Two particular highlights are his bouncy arrangements of “Dear Old Dixie” and “Foggy Mountain Special,” with the latter being a banjo duet with Brandon Green.”  “Barn Burnin’ Bluegrass” certainly lives up to its title and establishes Blaine Johnson as a promising musician in the world of bluegrass music. (Blaine Johnson, P.O. Box 732, Beaver, WV 25813, myspace.com/blainebanjoboy.)

LARRY FORD BLUEGRASS BAND—THE POWER OF GOD
Red Shale Records 0109
This current outing from the Larry Ford Bluegrass Band is an all-gospel package.Found here are original pieces along with gospel favorites such as “The Old Crossroad,” “Give Me Your Hand,” and the Don Reno classic “Family Altar.” Larry shares the lead vocals with bandmembers Mike Bostic and Larry Nance. “The Power Of God” is a nice collection of regional bluegrass gospel music that should prove to be appealing for anyone familiar with the Larry Ford Bluegrass Band. (Red Shale Records, 315 Second St., Leedey, OK 73654.)

DEHLIA LOW—TELLICO
No Label, No Number
This latest project is probably the most important release to date from North Carolina’s Dehlia Low. Although the band is an all-acoustic aggregation, their musical style extends beyond the boundaries of bluegrass. With the exception of Norman Blake’s “Lord Won’t You Help Me,” the other 11 tracks are band originals, such as “River Is Rising,” “Bide My Time,” and “Buffalo To Washington.” Fiddler Anya Hinkle’s vocal prowess is a key ingredient to the sound of Dehlia Low and shines through on “Take Me Back” and “Santa Ana Winds.” “Tellico” is a first-class production. Dehlia Low is rapidly becoming a musical force to watch for. (Dehlia Low, 322 Riverview Dr., Asheville, NC 28806, www.dehlialow.com.)

SUMMER CHURCH—REUNION
Walkin On Water Records, WALK-012
“Reunion” is the fourth recording from the California band Summer Church. This all-gospel project includes 13 tracks, most of which are originals, along with favorites such as “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms,” “In The Sweet Bye And Bye,” and “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder.” Also featured are several instrumentals: “Noah,” ”Learning To Fly,” and an interesting interpretation of “The Old Rugged Cross” played in a minor key. “Reunion” is a fine production of wonderful gospel tunes, with a strong presence of originality that eloquently showcases the talents of Summer Church. (Walkin’ On Water Records, P.O. Box 761, Bryn Mawr, CA 92318, www.wowrec.com.)

THE DOERFELS—WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR
Patuxent Music CD-187
“What I’m Looking For” is the Doerfel Family’s debut release for Tom Mindte’s Patuxent label. Their musical style can best be described as contemporary bluegrass with a healthy respect for traditional values. Five of the thirteen selections were composed by various bandmembers, including “The Chocolate Song” and “The Last Time.” Other highlights include the Tom Mindte instrumental “Bipolar,” “Walking After Midnight,” and “We’ll Meet Again Sweetheart.” The contents of “What I’m Looking For” clearly establishes the Doerfels as a band on the move with a major voice in bluegrass music. (Patuxent Music, P.O. Box 572, Rockville, MD 20848,  www.pxrec.com.)

BUCK MOUNTAIN BAND—CHICKEN IN THE SNOWBANK
Bent Trees 208
The latest outing from the Buck Mountain Band is similar to their previous release (BU, July ’07). This old-time band is built around the fiddling of Bob Taylor. Twenty selections are a blending of instrumentals and vocals including “Last Days In Georgia,” “Wild Horses At Stony Point,” “Nobody’s Darling,” and others. Of special note is the ballad “Widow’s Lament” written by bandmember Larry McPeake. “Chicken In The Snowbank” is a wonderful collection of old-time music—another masterpiece from the Buck Mountain Band. (Buck Mountain Band, 371 Rippin Run Rd., Ruckersville, VA 22968, www.buckmountainband.com.)

ON THE EDGE

THE HOT SEATS—RETREAT TO CAMP CANDY TEMPTATION ISLAND
No Label, No Number
The music of the Hot Seats incorporates a diversity of genres including bluegrass, country, jazz, old-time, and a bit of punk, all performed at breakneck speed. The dozen titles include several public domain pieces such as “Blues In The Bottle,” “Pretty Polly,” and “Bully Of The Town.” The remaining tunes consist of band originals with quirky titles such as “Old Trash Can,” “Sell Your Babies,” “Price Of Gas Blues,” and “Sleepover Party,” the latter of which includes bandmembers pretending to make a prank phone call. While “Retreat To Camp Candy Temptation Island” may not garner much attention with the mainstream bluegrass audience, it might appeal to those not afraid to explore the more unusual side of the music world. (Hot Seats, 209 W. 15th St., Richmond, VA 23224, www.thehotseats.net.)

BOOKS

BANJO FOR THE YOUNG BEGINNER
BY ALAN MUNDE
Mel Bay 21068BCD.
(Mel Bay Publications, Inc., #4 Industrial Dr., Pacific, MO 63069, www.melbay.com.)
For anyone who has a yearning to pick up and learn to play the five-string banjo bluegrass-style, this Mel Bay publication would be the ideal tool to begin with. Written by noted banjo picker Alan Munde, this forty-page instruction booklet leads the student through the basics of the five-string banjo, beginning with how to choose an instrument, hand positions, tuning, the banjo roll, and various picking techniques. Tablature is included with lessons on such tunes as “Wildwood Flower” and “”Bluegrass Melody.” There is a companion CD containing samples of all the lessons. Banjo For The Young Beginner is specifically designed for aspiring pickers and highly recommended for those seeking to master the five-string banjo bluegrass-style.

FIRST JAMES: DOBRO
BY LEE “DREW” ANDREWS
Mel Bay MB21514BCD.
(Mel Bay Publications, Inc., #4 Industrial Dr., Pacific, MO 63069, www.melbay.com.)
This particular title from Mel Bay is one in a series of instruction booklets designed to give beginning musicians a selection of basic tunes. Compiled by Lee “Drew” Andrews, First Jams: Dobro contains twenty songs with tablature specifically arranged for the resonator guitar. As with most Mel Bay publications, there is an accompanying CD containing samples of the songs in the booklet. “First Jams: Dobro” is designed for musicians who already have some basic skills on the resonator guitar, and is a recommended for honing those skills.