Larry Sparks- It’s Just Me review

Larry Sparks It’s Just Me Rebel Records Imagine, if you will: Larry Sparks stops in at your home one evening, and following a friendly chat over a cup of fresh coffee, he pulls out his aged flattop and starts playing songs. Dream no more, my bluegrass and Americana friends. Larry Sparks does just that—minus the…

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Starlett & Big John- Living in the South review

Starlett & Big John Living in the South Rebel Records Rebel Records, going back a generation and continuing with Mark Freeman, has always found a way to identify groups ready to ascend to ‘the next level.’ Starlett & Big John is the latest. In 2021 Turnberry Records put out the duo’s debut, Till the End…

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Tony Rice- Guitar Vinyl reissue reviewed

Tony Rice Guitar Rebel Records There has been no end to bluegrass albums labeled as classics. Some of them even deserve the renown such a reference implies. Tony Rice’s recording debut, released in 1974, is arguably one of those recordings, an album that will be within the number should my book One Hundred Essential Bluegrass…

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Peter Rowan- Calling You From My Mountain review

Peter Rowan Calling You From My Mountain Rebel Records In various configurations and eliminating live sets, Peter Rowan has recorded well over 40 albums of new music. That’s a lot, but considering his career going back to the 60s and the quality of his experimentation, both within and outside bluegrass, not an unwelcome amount. A…

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Tony Rice- California Autumn vinyl reissue review

Tony Rice California Autumn Rebel Records Several months ago, Rebel Records re-released Tony Rice’s early masterpiece California Autumn on CD. That welcome venture has now been followed by a vinyl reissue, and a welcome addition to our bluegrass shelves (and turntables) it is. Originally released in 1975, this influential recording has been carefully remastered from…

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Jeremy Stephens- How I Hear It review

My review of Jeremy Stephens new ‘solo’ bluegrass banjo album is up at Fervor Coulee Bluegrass courtesy of Country Standard Time. It is a really enjoyable album- lots of hot picking, but not at the expense of recognizable melody!

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Larry Sparks- Ministry in Song review

Larry Sparks Ministry in Song Rebel Records For almost 60 years, Larry Sparks has been “keepin’ it real” when it comes to bluegrass music. And for him, that means spreading the word of his faith. Bluegrass music holds hands with Christianity like few other genres, and Larry Sparks has always been one of bluegrass gospel’s…

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The Kody Norris Show- All Suited Up review

The Kody Norris Show All Suited Up Rebel Records Welcome to 1967. All Suited Up screams nostalgia, as do most every part of The Kody Norris Show’s presentation and live appearances. The emerging Mountain City, Tennessee quartet has chosen to represent the honky-tonkified, sparkly clothed, big hat ‘n sound, the “Hit Parade of Love” manner…

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High Fidelity- Banjo Player’s Blues review

High Fidelity Banjo Player’s Blues Rebel Records Capsule: Bluegrass music performed to the highest level by youthful revisionists. Paragraph to get to the point: When the history of bluegrass music is discussed, it is largely done so from a male perspective. The IBMA’s own Hall of Fame (previously Hall of Honor) is just one piece…

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Band of Ruhks- Authentic review

Band of Ruhks Authentic Rebel Records If you broke faith with the Band of Ruhks boys, you may wish to investigate their new album and give them a second chance. Bluegrass groups come and go. It is one of the accepted expectations of the business. Here’s another one: partnerships can always be rekindled. Around thirty…

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