Canyon Mountain- Northbound review

Reviewing regional bluegrass bands can be a tricky business. Folks who play bluegrass out of a pure love for the music should be encouraged, have to be encouraged, to continue to develop their skills as musicians and vocalists. A dropped note here, a missed verse there—let’s not be overly critical. We’re all in it for…

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Polaris Music Prize 2015- My Ballot and the Long List

This year, as I have been for the past many, I am proud to be a member of the Polaris Music Prize jury. “The Polaris Music Prize is a not-for-profit organization that annually honours, celebrates and rewards creativity and diversity in Canadian recorded music by recognizing, then marketing the albums of the highest artistic integrity,…

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Kelsey Waldon- The Goldmine review

Still a few reviews in the pipeline, but this one was published this week over at the Lonesome Road Review. I very much enjoyed this album- one of the best I’ve heard this year- and am pleased with the way the review turned out. Thanks for visiting Fervor Coulee. Donald

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Bluegrass Albums of the Year, 2014

Last week I posted the list of my favourite roots albums of 2014, while also including a few other lists including favourite reissues and such. Today I am pleased to present my favourite bluegrass albums of the past year. A great many strong bluegrass albums were released in 2014, but I found that I spent…

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Annie Lou, Tried and True, and some bluegrass gifts for you…

My review of Annie Lou’s excellent new album Tried and True, has been posted to the Lonesome Road Review. A little old-time, a bit of bluegrass, some folk, and a whole lot of energy- a darned good album, I do believe. Also posted, this time at Fervor Coulee Bluegrass, is my ‘gift’ of five song…

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Recent roots reviews

I’I haven’t posted here at Fervor Coulee for a month, which is bad. I have been writing, which may also be bad depending on your opinion. Thought I would catch up by posting some of the links I’ve neglected. Lee Ann Womack is a singer I didn’t have any familiarity with prior to reviewing her…

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Nick Hornbuckle- 12X2(+/-1) review

Nick Hornbuckle recently released his debut solo recording, a collection of mostly traditional old-time fiddle tunes given new arrangements for banjo in a variety of (mostly) duo settings. As a long-time proponent of the special music created by John Reischman & the Jaybirds, with whom Hornbuckle has played for some 15+ years, it should be no…

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