Barry Waldrep & Friends Celebrate Tony Rice (Delta Grass Productions) When the world lost the bluegrass genius of Tony Rice on Christmas Day, 2020, a vast chasm in folk, country and bluegrass circles was created. As heartfelt remembrances poured in – from a widely varied audience of fans – Rice, himself, might have been surprised […]
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Norman Blake — Day By Day (Smithsonian Folkways) During an interview to promote his 32nd release from 2015, Wood, Wire & Words, Norman Blake admitted that he was done, having suffered a TIA back in 2012. While this medical setback had impacted his singing and playing skills significantly, Blake – a lifelong musician – fought to […]
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Mac McAnally — Once In A Lifetime (Mailboat Records) Lyman Corbitt McAnally Jr. is also known as Mac McAnally – not that you’ve likely heard of either one of them. Such is the fate of so many of the most important people in the music business: the songwriter. Without quality songs, there really wouldn’t be much to […]
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The Steel Woods– All Of Your StonesThirty Tigers/The Orchard As theory has it, music critics focus on reviewing the music they love – or that does something special for them – enlisting a committment to help spread the news. Not always, however. The first time I heard The Steel Woods their groundbreaking 2017 debut, Straw In […]
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Dulcie Taylor — Rediscovered (EP)(Mesa/Bluemoon) You’ve heard, “If you’re going to do something, do it right the first time,” yet this old adage seldom applies to music. Rediscovered is an EP release which has afforded this artist an opportunity to look back on both fan and personal favorites – and re-work them differently. Dulcie Taylor was […]
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What a clear and beautiful voice is heard across each of these five, largely unadorned, too-short originals. Clarity of sound – delivered fresh, like a spring songbird welcoming a rainy morning – making you wonder why this is the first time we’ve heard Megan Lacy’s voice long before this debut. Originally in a band called […]
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Danielia Cotton is, for me, the epitome of the strong, self-made, independent woman – taking sh*t from no one, acutely-focused on getting where she’s going. This battle didn’t originate with A Different War as she’s been actively fighting for truth and spearheading her own personal movement for love and respect since she first giving notice […]
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The Innocence Mission: See You Tomorrow (Thérèse Records) is Music As Medicine In a career spanning more than 30 years – beginning with the release of ‘89s The Innocence Mission for Quiet Corner – they’ve owned a musical category all to themselves. It might begin and end with the ethereal, heart-melting, other-worldly vocals of Karen Peris – a […]
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The Burnt Pines: The Burnt Pines (Adraela Records) The initial track of this strong debut opens with delicately-picked acoustic guitar, adding soft harmonies for an effect not unlike that of gently falling snow. Mix in rudimentary percussion, piano, melodica and the distinctive lead vocals of Danish-born Kris Skovmand. Together, the band gradually swells “Diamonds” – a […]
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