Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands- The Hazel and Alice Sessions review

Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands The Hazel and Alice Sessions Spruce and Maple Music I don’t remember exactly when I first heard Hazel Dickens. Odd that, because one can’t really listen to Hazel Dickens without knowing you’ve heard Hazel. Her voice is one that isn’t confused with anyone else’s; there is power in her…

Rate this:

Review: Dolly Parton, Town Mountain, Lewis & Kallick, Ralph Stanley

A few reviews have been posted over at the Lonesome Road Review. Laurie Lewis & Kathy Kallick’s tribute to Vern Williams and Ray Park is a stunning bluegrass collection. I was asked to submit a version of my Ralph Stanley & Ralph Stanley II duets album of earlier this year. Rising bluegrass band Town Mountain…

Rate this:

Roots Song of the Week: American Nomad- Country Mile

I’ve been distracted of late, and therefore have fallen behind on many things including my Roots Song of the Week series. I was hoping to go 52 weeks in succession, but… We’re back this week with a cut from a recently released album entitled Country Mile. The title track from American Nomad’s first disc has…

Rate this:

Roots Song of the Week: Laurie Lewis- Sailing Boat

Last night I decided that I wanted to feature Laurie Lewis’ brave and challenging new live album within my Roots Song of the Week feature. Unfortunately, I could only find one of the songs streaming online, and it wasn’t the ‘right’ one. I was pleased today then to find that Engine 145 decided to feature…

Rate this:

Laurie Lewis- Skippin’ and Flyin’ review

I rewrote my review of Laurie Lewis’s latest at the request of the Lonesome Road Review; without doubt, an incredible album. Laurie Lewis Skippin’ and Flyin’ Spruce and Maple Music 5 stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske West coast bluegrass maven Laurie Lewis pays tribute to Bill Monroe by exploring his roots and branches…

Rate this:

Fervor Coulee’s Ten Favourite Bluegrass Albums of 2011

Donald Teplyske’s  favourite ten bluegrass albums of 2011: Unlike last year, I feel that I did a very good job of ensuring that I heard the vast majority of excellent bluegrass that was released in 2011. I’m still not being serviced by one particular publicist and a couple of the major bluegrass labels, but others keep…

Rate this:

Laurie Lewis- Skippin’ and Flyin’

Laurie Lewis Skippin’ and Flyin’ Spruce and Maple Music I’ve been told that I have a tendency to occasionally write more than people want to read, given these days of shorter attention spans and such. So here is the capsule review: West coast bluegrass maven Laurie Lewis pays the ultimate tribute to Bill Monroe by…

Rate this:

My Favourite Albums of the Aughts- Part Two of Four

51. Wayne Scott- This Weary Way 2005 We may never hear another album from Darrell Scott’s father, but with songs like “It’s the Whiskey that Eases the Pain” and “I Wouldn’t Live In Harlan County,” I’m glad we got this collection of songs that stands beside the best of Kristofferson. 52. John Stewart- The Day…

Rate this:

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival Oct 3-4, 2009

After years of searching, I’ve found my people. And they were all with me at the Star Stage at the 9th annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on Saturday afternoon. I’m still not sure exactly how it happened, but my wife agreed a weekend getaway to San Francisco, a couple…

Rate this:

Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women- Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women

Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women YepRoc  Featuring a cavalcade of California and Texas- based female instrumentalists and singer Christy McWilson, Dave Alvin has again realigned his approach and songbook.  As always, emotion and experience drip off every syllable Alvin sings. A collaborative musician and producer if ever one…

Rate this: