Oh, The Stories They Can Tell
LANCE COWAN breathes rare air, TREY HENSLEY offers a songwriting master class, RICK SHEA travels far and wide and unforgettably, DAVE THOMAS takes the blues very personally...
Rob Ickes
The Silence Lifts
ALICIA NUGENT, one of the finest voices of her generation, makes a triumphant return on KEITH STEGALL-produced THE OLD SIDE OF TOWN. They don't make 'em like her anymore.
Being About the Needed Balance of Persistence and Faith
Like a bridge over troubled waters, ROD McCORMACK's FINGERPRINTS offers safe passage through perilous times--an instant classic of a debut album
Standing on Big Shoulders
From Robert Johnson to the present day, SPECIAL CONSENSUS celebrates the Windy City's musical legacy on their 45th anniversary recording, CHICAGO BARN DANCE. The consensus? It's special.
Bobby Osborne: Sui Generis
Now 85, bluegrass legend BOBBY OSBORNE, with ALISON BROWN producing and superb backing musicians, has a solo triumph in the accurately titled ORIGINAL.
The Big Land
Ever more ambitious, ALISON BROWN returns with THE SONG OF THE BANJO, with KEB' MO outstanding on 'What's Going On,' and our reviewer likening the instrumental portions to Smetana's 'The Moldau.' Really.
Just Like Old Times
JIM ED BROWN makes a stirring comeback with IN STYLE AGAIN; ROB ICKES & TREY HENSLEY deliver one for old times' sake in BEFORE THE SUN GOES DOWN.
Time, Time, Time, See What’s Become of Me
What's better than one new DONNA HUGHES album? Answer: two new DONNA HUGHES albums. The gifted bluegrass singer-songwriter is back with FROM THE HEART and FLY. We appraise, and praise.
For Whom These Bells Toll
THREE BELLS, a collaboration between three great dobro masters--MIKE AULDRIDGE, JERRY DOUGLAS and ROB ICKES--is flat-out a beautiful, evocative album with virtuosity always in service to the heart. Is is also the great AULDRIDGE's final recording.
The Poetry, and The Poet, Within
One of the finest bluegrass singer-songwriters extant, DONNA ULISSE pays homage to the artists that inspired her on SHOWIN' MY ROOTS.