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The last month has been tough on me; many things are calling for my attention, and writing has had to fall by the wayside. I have been listening to some great stuff- the new Peter Rowan, the Frank Solivan, some great Steve Forbert music from the past. The Gibson Brothers’ new album They Call It Music is spectacular, and my review of it has been posted at the Lonesome Road Review.

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Another one from the Who? and Damn! category. You know, you see the album and you say, “Who?” Then, you listen to it and you say, “Damn!”

My review of 1945 has been posted to the Lonesome Road Review.

Track down this one.

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And now for something completely different. After writing a couple mildly negative bluegrass reviews, here is an album that is- in my opinion- close to gosh-darn perfect. The Blue Canyon Boys, who are from Colorado, have recently released their fifth album. Colour me impressed. This link will get you over to the Lonesome Road Review, where Aaron has published my piece.

At least once a month I download from either iTunes or eMusic an album from an artist that I am unfamiliar with. I would suggest you do the same, and seek out this album from the BCB.

Thanks for visiting Fervor Coulee. Donald

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My review of the Sleepy Man Banjo Boys recently released second album has been posted to the Lonesome Road Review. There isn’t anything obviously ‘wrong’ with the album; it just isn’t terribly interesting. Or distinctive. Yes, I am mean. And narrow-minded. O, well.

I have no problem with kids playing music, and actually appreciate that they take an active interest in making music. Without kids who learn to play, and enjoy doing so, there wouldn’t be adults making music that I actually am eager to pay for the privilege of listening to. What I don’t want is to pay for the privilege of hearing people learning their craft.

If you’ve ever heard an eleven-year old girl sing “Crazy” or “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under” on a fair stage, you may appreciate the sentiment. Similarly, I don’t need to hear teenagers and pre-teens play a Bill Monroe tune. BTW, the final sentence of the published review, not mine: call it, editor’s prerogative.

Thanks for visiting Fervor Coulee. Donald

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My review of the latest guitar-heavy, bluegrass album from Richard Bennett has been posted to the Lonesome Road Review. The title track is getting some satellite radio play, and I believe the album is something all bluegrass fans should find appealing. But, I’ve been wrong before.

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My review of Dale Watson’s new album has been picked up by the Lonesome Road Review. If you missed it, here it is.

Just in case you haven’t seen it, here is a bar full of yahoos listening to Billy Joe Shaver and Dale Watson: “Where do you want it?” which is on the new album. And a few hours of Dale Watson here.

 

 

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Over at the Lonesome Road Review, Aaron has posted my review of two new Rebel Records bluegrass compilations- one is focused on banjo tunes, the other fiddle. http://lonesomeroadreview.com/2012/11/14/true-bluegrass-banjo-and-true-bluegrass-fiddle-by-various-artists-on-rebel-records/ will get you there.

Thanks for visiting. Donald

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Over at Lonesome Road Review, Aaron has posted my review of the quite terrific collection inspired by some of the music referenced in the Little House books. The link will get you there: http://lonesomeroadreview.com/2012/10/22/pas-fiddle-charles-ingalls-american-fiddler-by-various-artists/

Worth checking out, in my opinion. As always, thanks for visiting Fervor Coulee. Donald

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http://lonesomeroadreview.com/2012/10/14/rough-edge-ragged-hearts-by-linda-mcrae/ will get you to my review of Linda McRae’s latest. After all these years, still one of my favourite singers, songwriters, and instrumentalists. You may know of her work from a long time ago with Spirit of the West or more recently with Audrey Auld. However you come to Linda, it is good that you do.

Rough Edges & Ragged Hearts was just nominated as Contemporary Album of the Year by the Canadian Folk Music Awards, a group that has previously recognized Bruce Cockburn, John Wort Hannam, Joel Plaskett, Luke Doucet, The Duhks, Penny Lang, and Nathan in this category. Also nominated this year are Whitehorse, The Deep Dark Woods, Old Man Luedecke, and Rose Cousins.

Thanks for visiting Fervor Coulee. Donald

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Well, that is one long entry heading!

I was recently assigned the latest from Bobby Osborne to review. Glad to do it as it is a very fine album, full of memorable performances. Find it at the Lonesome Road Review:  http://lonesomeroadreview.com/2012/09/25/new-bluegrass-old-heartaches-by-bobby-osborne-the-rocky-top-x-press/

As always, thanks for visiting Fervor Coulee. Donald