Fresh Sounds in the World of Bluegrass

Lester & Mike Armistead, Jump Shout and Stomp (RME Records )
In liner notes Marty Stuart says, “Lester, Mike and my fellow brothers of the jug continue to carry on a wonderful musical heritage. The Smoky Mountain music has purpose, integrity and principle. Lester and Mike’s songs are there to help us celebrate the joys of living and they also offer understanding when misery befalls us. Songs like ‘A Girl from the Past,’ ‘Crying Games,’ ‘This Morning at Nine’… ‘Don’t Laugh’ and ‘Farther Along’ prove that there’s power in the jug and the Smoky Mountain Way.”

Kenny Baker, Spider Bit the Baby! (OMS Records 25110-2)
Bluegrass Hall of Honor member, Kenny Baker presents 13 fiddle tunes on his latest recording, many either written by himself or co-written with Bill Monroe. Instrumental backing is provided by Aubrey Haynie on mandolin, Blaine Sprouse on twin fiddle, Hugh Moore on banjo, Billy Rose on bass and Chris Sharp on guitar. Raymond Huffmaster contributes liner notes. Included: “High Country,” “Lonesome Moonlight Waltz,” “Springtime,” “Sugar Tree Stomp,” “Ashland Breakdown” and more.

Glen Bonham, Glen Bonham (Scena 271975-2)
Native American bluegrass/traditional country music singer, Glen Bonham hails from Atoka, Oklahoma, with a unique voice that appears to combine influences from Jimmy Martin, Merle Haggard, Mac Wiseman and Larry Cordle. Past credits include working with Bill Grant as a teenager, The Bonham Brothers, Bill Sander & Signal Mountain (with Billy Joe Foster, Joe Diffie, Craig Fletcher and Shawn Camp), his own band--Glen Bonham & Southern Tradition, and a recurring role in the Chuck Norris television series, Walker: Texas Ranger.

Martina Cesta, Martina Cesta (Musica 720 571-2)
Slovakian singer, Martina Cesta combines bluegrass and country instrumentation with contemporary vocals for a set of 15 songs. Liner notes are in Czech, and the songs are sung in Czech, English and French. Included: “Summerfly,” “Lovesick Blues,” “Ghost in this House,” “Tonight I’ll Be Lonely Too,” “Greensleeves,” “Walls of Time” and more.

Kazuhiro Inaba, Teardrop on a Rose (Copper Creek 2016)
“Kazuhiro Inaba sings the old songs like he owns them,” comments Tim O’Brien in liner notes. “This album is a welcome addition to the international country and bluegrass music scene.” With a focus on classic country music, Kaz’ second album for Copper Creek is dedicated to Hank Williams and those who treasure his songs. In addition to Williams, material comes from Don Reno, the Louvin Brothers, Buddy Starcher and Frederick Weatherly.

Joe Isaacs, Dreaming of Home (MME 70039-2)
In liner notes banjo player Butch Robins says, “As both a writer and performer, Joe Isaacs gives us a most comprehensive glimpse of the musical culture of the mountains. His offerings are pure mountain soul.” Lead vocals are shared by Joe and his daughter, Sonya Isaacs, Stacy York and Jack Greene, with vocal and instrumental back up from m Ben & Sonya Isaacs, Vince Gill, Carl Jackson, Wayne Lewis, Rhonda Vincent, Mike Compton, Aubrey Haynie, Rob Ickes, Jackson, Tim Stafford, Jimmy VanCleve and Curnie Lee Wilson. Joe wrote or co-wrote five of the fourteen cuts.

Carol Elizabeth Jones & Laurel Bliss, Girl From Jericho (Copper Creek 0213)
East meets West with this new collection that pairs vocalist/songwriter Carol Elizabeth Jones—from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia—with Laurel Bliss, a vocalists and instrumentalist from Washington State. The focus is on the vocals, with Jones playing guitar, Bliss on Dobro and John Reischman guesting on mandolin. In addition to originals from C.E., material includes “Meet Me By The Moonlight,” “One Morning in May,” “Rose of My Heart” and more.

Kane’s River, Same River Twice (Snake River Records 117)
In liner notes Tim Stafford says, “Any bluegrass band that cites a quote from the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus as the source for its new project is a little different, to say the least…. They play modern bluegrass, which has grown up in the vast shade of the tree of tradition and is continually nurtured by those roots, but is fed by other influences: folk, blues, rock, jazz, Celtic and world music.”

Rick Lang & Friends, The Season of My Heart (HAR CD 10-4)
A collection of 13 new Christmas/seasonal songs from the pen of New Hampshire songwriter, Rick Lang, just in time for the holidays. Lang’s material has been covered previously by IIIrd Tyme Out, Lonesome River Band, Front Range and Southern Rail, among others. In addition to Rick on guitar and vocals, Dave Dick, Roger Williams, Bob Dick, and vocalist Karen Lincoln Wilber guest.

Liz Meyer with Nugget, Live at the European World of Bluegrass (Strictly Country Records 56)
The American singer/songwriter who now makes her home in Holland, Liz Meyer is backed here by Austria-based Nugget, one of Europe’s premier bluegrass groups, for a live set of 14 originals and two bluegrass classics. In liner notes Liz describes the new live album as “a collection of musical snapshots” taken at European World of Bluegrass events over the past five years—where these old friends gather for an annual set of music together.

Nashville Mandolin Ensemble; Bach, Beatles, Bluegrass (SoundArt Recordings)
The Nammie Award-winning instrumental group redefines the “three B’s” of music with performances from a wide array of composers including Hoagy Carmichael, Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli, Dickey Betts, J.S. Bach, Lennon & McCartney, Charlie Provenza, Roger Hudson and traditional music from the bluegrass repertoire. In addition to bandleader Butch Baldassari, members include Stephen Dudash, Walter Carter, John Hedgecoth, Van Manakas and David Spicher.

New Girls Nite Out, Movin’ On (New Girls Nite Out)
The debut release from this all-girl Virginia based group features emotional leads and harmony arrangements, plus full bluegrass instrumentation on songs like “On the Far Side Banks of Jordan,” “Rawhide,” “I’ll Be All Smiles Tonight,” “I Am Weary, Let Me Rest,” “Cattle Call” and “Down to the River to Pray.”

Michelle Nixon & Drive, It’s My Turn (Pinecastle 1129)
Three originals plus songs from Tom T. & Miss Dixie Hall, Dallas Frazier, Bill Castle, Steve Wariner and Bill Anderson are included in Michelle Nixon’s debut for Pinecastle Records. Band members include Vernon Hughes, Jim Green, Jason Davis, Justen Haynes and Eddie Shifflett. Tom T. plays the spike hammer and David Talbot plays banjo on “Joan Henry,” a song written by the Halls.

Mark O’Connor; Mark O’Connor, Thirty-Year Retrospective (OMAC Records-5)
The latest recording from legendary fiddler Mark O’Connor—a two CD set—was recorded live in concert July 3-5, 2002, at Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University, in Nashville. Also featuring Chris Thile on mandolin, Bryan Sutton on guitar and Byron House on bass, the material is a 30-year retrospective tour through O’Connor’s previously recorded repertoire.

Bob Paisley & the Southern Grass, Color of the Blues (Strictly Country Records 55)
The most recent release from this renowned Pennsylvania based bluegrass band was recorded live in the Netherlands at Theater De Muzeval in Emmen on May 14, and at the Big Bear Festival in Zuidlaren on May 23. Material includes “Walking the Dog,” “Paddy on the Turnpike,” “Color of the Blues,” “Low and Lonely,” “Sally Ann” and more.

Dean Sapp & Harford Express, Coal Black Gold (Old Train Music 1010)
Five of fourteen cuts are originals from Maryland bandleader Dean Sapp and mandolin player Dan Curtis, on their latest album. Additional material comes from Wendy Miller, Rodney Kent Dowell, Dixie Hall, Lester Flatt, Mike Van Hoy and more. The band is rounded out by Darin Hirchy on bass and Ben Sapp on banjo. Included: “Kentucky Chimes,” “Rose Colored Glasses,” “Lookout Jessie James,” “The Lucketts Ghost” and more.

Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show, Worries on My Mind (Rebel 1792)
“Probably the best phrase to describe the music on the Karl Shiflett and Big Country Show’s new CD would be ‘honkey-tonk bluegrass’… how Merle Haggard or George Jones would sound if they played bluegrass,” Tom Garber writes. “From the fiddle kickoff on the fist track, the listener is transported to a roadhouse deep in west Texas oil country, where cowboy boots, ten gallon hats and oversized belt buckles are the ensemble de rigueur.” Seven of twelve cuts are written by banjo player, Jake Jenkins.

George Shuffler & Laura Boosinger, Mountain Treasures (Copper Creek 0217)
Banjo player/vocalist Laura Boosinger and IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award recipient George Shuffler got together in 2002 to present Heritage Programs to school children in western North Carolina, and this recording is one of the results of their successful collaboration. Shuffler’s distinctive cross-pricking guitar style is showcased here, along with Boosinger’s clawhammer banjo and vocals.

Mark Simos, Crazy Faith (Devachan DEV-CD4347)
An all original set of music is presented here by Mark Simos, backed by Brian Melick, Bruce Molsky, Tom Rozum, Ronnie Simpkins, Sally Van Meter, Casey Driessen and more. In liner notes Alison Krauss, who has covered several of his songs, says: “Mark Simos is a remarkable songwriter. He’s one of those rare people who knows what words sound good together, and his lyrics are just as unique as his melodies. I never stop being amazed at his songs, and I’m never surprised that I love another one.”

Chris Stuart & Backcountry, Saints and Strangers (Backcountry Music BCK-837)
After having many of his songs covered by other artists, Chris Stuart has released a second solo album that also spotlights his band: Janet Beazley, Ivan Rosenberg and Dean Knight. “Silver Quarter” is a tribute to the father of bluegrass, recalling Bill Monroe’s habit of giving quarters to children. In liner notes, Chris explains the title cut name: “In 1620, 102 settlers left England for America on the Mayflower. Fewer than half of those aboard referred to themselves as ‘saints. They called the others ‘strangers.’”

Tim Tolliver, I Am What I Am (Tim Tolliver TOLL-1201)
An all original set of bluegrass music is presented from Tim Tolliver, from Raven, Va., backed by Joe Clark, Adam Haynes, Randall Hubbard, Mark Baker and Tony Brown. Recorded in memory of John Thomas Tolliver, Tim dedicates the songs “Solid Black Gold” and “Last Day at Diamond May” to “the men and women who risk their lives to harvest the earth’s natural resources.”

Various Artists, European World of Bluegrass 2003 (Strictly Country A17)
The latest European World of Bluegrass compilation includes cuts from Monogram, Liz Meyer with Nugget, Sons of Navarone, Chris Jones & The Czech Drivers, 29 Strings, Union City Grass, Blackjack, Groundspeed, Buddy & Tina Wright, New Lowland, Petr Brandejs Band, Mideando String Quartet, Amy Gallatin & the Hot Flashes, Bluegrass Cwrkot, Roll’s Boys, Zbyney Bures, Stroatklinkers, Rawhide, Lonesome Mountaineers, John Reischman & the Jaybirds and the Tomas Pesko Band.

Voxology, Someday Soon (Voxology)
Voxology is a central Pennsylvania based acoustic duo featuring original music by Kevin Neidig and Les Vonderlin, who have worked together for nine years. Instrumentation on this all original set of music includes guitar, bass, clawhammer banjo and vocal harmonies. The group was a finalist in the 1998 Lilith Fair/Levi’s Talent Search, and both members are two-time first place winners at the North Bay Deer Creek Fiddler’s Convention in Westminster, Md.

Buddy & Tina Wright Band, Live in Holland (Strictly Country Records 54)
Recorded live at the Big Bear Festival in Zuidlaren, The Netherlands—a part of the European World of Bluegrass 2003—the latest recording from Lubbock, Texas based brother and sister, Buddy & Tina Wright showcases their vocal and fiddle talents on 15 songs, backed by their parents Pat and Ray on guitar and bass. Included: “Ragtime Annie,” “My Lord Keeps a Record,” “Lee Highway,” “In the Pines,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “Listen to the Mockingbird” and more.

Record Labels in the Issue:

Backcountry Music:
13774 Recuerdo Drive
Del Mar, CA 92014
www.chrisstuart.com

Copper Creek Records:
PO Box 3161
Roanoke, VA 24015-3161
www.coppercreekrecords.com

Devachan Music:
PO Box 198, Watertown
MA 02471-0198
www.devachan.com

MME: Music Mill Entertainment, LLC
809 18th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
www.musicmill.com

Musica: spol. sr.o.
Zelena 8, 816 42
Bratislava, Slovakia
www.musica.sk

New Girls Nite Out:
Jean Bazzanella
www.newgirlsniteout.com

Old Train Music:
1723 West Pulaski Hwy
Elkton, MD 21921
www.deansapp.com

OMAC Records:
PO Box 398
Bonsall, CA 92003
www.markoconnor.com

OMS Records:
PO Box 52112
Durham, NC 27717
www.omsrecords.com

Pinecastle Records:
PO Box 456
Orlando, FL 32802
www.pinecastle.com

Rebel Records:
PO Box 7405
Charlottesville, VA 22906
www.rebelrecords.com

RME Records:
www.rmemusic.com

Scena Records, distributed & marketed by Emergent:

Snake River Records:
PO Box 215
Victor ID 83455
www.kanesriver.com

SoundArt Recordings:
www.soundartrecordings.com

Strictly Country Records:
PO Box 628, 2130 AP
Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
scr@pietergroenveld.com

Tim Tolliver:
Po Box 189
Raven, VA 24639
www.timtolliver.com

Voxology:
www.voxology.com

CORRECTION: Muleskinner Live: Original Television Soundtrack, mentioned in the last issue of International Bluegrass, has been released on the combined Rural Rhythm/Sierra Records label.

Back to Top