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In 1985, Bloodshot Records owner Rob Miller experienced the blissful rush of a Charlie Pickett gig when the Florida guitarist brought his blues/country/classic rock aggregation to Ann Arbor, Mich. where Miller was a UM student. Dutifully transformed by that single exposure, Miller finally pays the experience forward by releasing a compendium of Pickett's recorded work with his two anarchic bands, The Eggs and the MC3.
In much the same way that the Kinman brothers launched Rank and File too... »»»
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Making a movie about Billy Graham is certainly a daunting task. Clearly, Graham is one of the most respected men in the world, whether you agree with his beliefs or not. Yet the creation of this soundtrack looks easy. But as with cooking, great music begins with the best ingredients. And this disc includes many fine singers and songs. Alan Jackson sings the romantic Look At Me and Third Day's Mac Powell joins Brooks & Dunn for the heavenly-looking Over The Next Hill, but lesser known China... »»»
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After more than 50 years of pickin' and singing, Dr. Ralph Stanley's legend continues to grow. Stanley is widely renowned for his clawhammer banjo picking, which he picked up as a child in the hills of Virginia. With brother Carter doing most of the singing, they formed a powerful presence in traditional music. It was not until the death of Carter, that Ralph's own vocal prowess began to emerge.
Stanley's tenor vocals truly shine in harmony here with Charlie Sizemore in... »»»
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Cherryholmes continues to expand the parameters of bluegrass without crossing over into newgrass territory, while also exhibiting strong songwriting and performances on their third release.
Cia Cherryholmes, the 24-year-old banjo player and vocalist for the family band, continues to be the primary focus by writing or co-writing 6 of the 12 original songs and singing 5 of them. From the heartache and sorrow of Broken to the lost love of I Can Only Love You (So Much) and My Love For You Grows... »»»
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Try this one at home: Gather a group of friends around the stereo, put Mary Chapin Carpenter's new CD on, and let it play about half way through. Then take a poll, asking what kind of a CD everybody was listening to. And unless your dinner party was listening to the lyrics closely, they wouldn't have a clue that it's a Christmas CD.
First off, few of these songs are familiar ones; certainly not the ones you hear in a million different variations at the mall... »»»
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Wade Bowen's fourth album is full of tidy little turns of phrase, blaring guitars and driving rhythm, but few fresh ideas. I messed up in this relationship (You Had Me at My Best), beautiful women are trouble (Trouble), I'm outta here (Nobody's Fool), love fixes everything (From Bad to Good), Daddy drank (Daddy and the Devil) - ho hum.
Bowen does sing about his wife's postpartum depression in the allegory-laden Turn on the Lights, but as with nearly everything on this... »»»
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If seeking a nice, quiet, familiar-sounding set of Christmas carols, then by all means avoid Bela Fleck & the Flecktones holiday CD. But if an adventurous spirit, with that same patiently expectant temperament you may have only experienced on those rare Christmases when you didn't poke, prod and shake your presents until you knew all wrapped contents long before Dec. 25, this new holiday effort may be the gift you least expected - but always wanted.
It's fairly common knowledge... »»»
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Faith Hill's first Christmas album is an uptown affair, rather than any down home celebration. Making this point from the very outset, the opening title cut features a full adult choir and orchestra. Furthermore, Hill is dressed for the ball in a beautiful red gown on the disc's front cover.
The first time Hill steers away from overly philharmonic-ready material, she heads straight for swing town with horns a plenty on both Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town. and Holly Jolly Christmas... »»»
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At this point, it's a law of television that the results of American Idol are not proportional to post-show success. Past winners are without record contracts, and, among the ranks of former sixth place finishers, Kellie Pickler (aka "Pickles") has gone from waitressing to amassing a handful of pop-country hits at only 22 years old. On her second effort, Pickler spreads her wings beyond vocals to songwriting half the 10 songs.
Things kick off with the mighty message song,... »»»
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In 2006, the Randy Rogers Band turned a lot of heads in Nashville with the success of "Just a Matter of Time," the group's major label debut. The Texas-based quintet managed to parlay its grassroots underground following and years of constant touring into an album that was one of the most downloaded country albums of the year on iTunes, while also peaking at number eight on the Billboard Country Albums chart.
Now with their second release, the band tries to keep the ball rolling... »»»
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Old Crow Medicine Show found success with the band's second CD, the 2006 release "Big Iron World." That CD was heavy on traditional, pre-1960s covers. The third CD delivers original new songs; all but one is an original by various permutations of the quintet. But this CD also has an unexpected retro feel. Much of it hearkens back to country-flavored groups of the 1960s and early 1970s, a la The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
Producer Don Was takes the controls, and OCMS... »»»
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The name of Ralph Stanley conjures up images of mountain bluegrass. However, this CD is more in the country vein. Ralph Stanley II delivers his vocals in a smoky baritone more reminiscent of modern country than the high lonesome sound on his first album since 2002's "Stanley Blues." Not that Ralph II ignores his roots. With bluegrass standouts like Adam Steffey of the Dan Tyminski band, and Cody Kilby and Darren Vincent, (both played with Ricky Skaggs), there is not a weak sideman here... »»»
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On his seventh CD, Mark Erelli continues to explore the themes of responsibility and redemption that marked his 2006 release "Hope and Other Casualties." There's an equal number of non-political tracks that also fit within the theme, but the focus is on the war in Iraq and the torture and other issues that surround it.
In the opening Hope Dies Last, the Lori McKenna sidekick looks at the war from afar, using an everyman perspective. He wonders how you can - or whether you should -... »»»
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Darius Rucker is making the plunge into country after years spent leading Hootie & the Blowfish. Unlike some others who enter the country field late in their music life, Rucker attempts at times to keep a country sound. That is particularly true on "All I Want," although the tonker would have been best handled by someone like Dwight Yoakam since Rucker comes off as more of a dabbler than a dyed in the wool traditionalist.
Rucker's voice is his strong suit. He always has had a very... »»»
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The most striking element here - well, after Kasey Chambers' thrill of a voice, that is - is the number of different sounds that surface in the turned-down, trad-leaning setting. That Chambers is comfortable with bluegrass, folk and bare-bones country is no surprise; those were all key components of her outback musical upbringing, and all have echoed to varying degrees across her Aus-country solo records.
Still, the ease in which Chambers, her multi-instrumentalist (banjo, resonator... »»»
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As a former lead guitar player for Merle Haggard's supporting band, The Strangers, Texas's Redd Volkaert is widely recognized throughout the country music industry for his mastery of the Fender Telecaster guitar. But with his latest independent release, Volkaert puts less emphasis on flashy playing and succeeds in creating an album that really showcases his vocal abilities.
Even though Volkaert's rough-hewn singing style may not draw comparisons to legendary country music... »»»
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Charlie Louvin is back with one of the most straightforward gospel albums of his long, distinguished career, and hosannas are in order. At 81, he's hardly the same singer who elevated the art of tight harmonies with his brother, Ira, in the 1940s and '50s. However, collaboration is no less vital on this, his third studio album of the last three years(!). The Lord may have to wait a while to reclaim the younger Mr. Louvin.
Louvin is in fine voice, but it is the strident, starchy piano... »»»
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Kristy Lee Cook's second album (and first major label effort) may include just 10 songs, but the Oregonian doesn't waste any space. She's the latest in a long line of former American Idol contestants to try their hand in country, finishing seventh on last season's show.
So it's not a surprise that Cook fits squarely into the pop-country category, but she does it better than any of her Country AI predecessors, save for Carrie Underwood. All of the songs have a common... »»»
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It's official now. Alan Jackson was a prophet. The whole world has truly gone country. Bob Seger, Bon Jovi, The Pretenders, Jewel, Darius Rucker, Kid Rock (is he going to have to change his name, by the way, to Kid Country?) and now Jessica Simpson. She probably would have worn a cowboy hat to announce this progression, but that would obscure her lovely blond hair, so instead on both the front and back photos she sticks cowboy boots in your face. She and her manager-father insist that... »»»
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Gather Nashville's A-list string players, hunker down together in the main room of a studio and cut a record in two days. How...retro. That was Hal Ketchum's plan for his latest record, and the veteran singer-songwriter pulls it off with nearly flawless execution. The 14-track album - largely written by the upstate New York native - is a refreshing contrast to the cluttered, over-layered sonics marking many of today's country records.
Acoustic country at a premier level,... »»»
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Two of the freshest voices in bluegrass today are Valerie Smith and Becky Buller. Each has a number of recorded projects to their name and, more recently, they have toured and recorded as part of Smith's band, Liberty Pike. Both are exceptional vocalists. Buller is a well-known songwriter ("Rest My Weary Feet for IIIrd Tyme Out, Fishers Of Men for Rhonda Vincent) and accomplished musician on a number of instruments.
The new album is a wonderful collection of songs done duet style... »»»
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This is a bit of a good news/bad news situation. The good news is that Amanda Smith's voice is still one of the sweetest and best in bluegrass today. Hovering in the Rhonda Vincent vein of modern female singers she is equaling convincing singing the lost-love tale of Drive That Fast," the silver dagger tale of "Cruel Willie" and standout track "Heartbreak Express."
The bad news is that, after the enthusiastic "Tell Somebody" album of last year, the album... »»»
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From their beginnings a quarter-century ago, the Lonesome River Band has been at the forefront of contemporary bluegrass as a band deftly able to mix the old and the new and were credited by many in the mid-'90s as being among the first to bring a "rock and roll attitude" to the genre with a "wall of sound" approach that attracted a young cult following. Banjo player Sammy Shelor, with the band since at least 1991, is the closest thing to an original member in the current... »»»
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Quite simply, Patty Loveless is one of the finest traditional country singers in the past 15 years, and this covers collection that sometimes goes way back in time on a new label does nothing to dispel that fact one iota. She may be in middle age - and perhaps considered "old" by modern radio standards - but no need to worry about quality. The voice still reigns supreme. She wrings the lyrics for much emotion without overdoing it ("why did you go/don't you know I need... »»»
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God put us all here for a reason. He surely must have sent Paul Williams to sing as Williams has now sung his wonderful clear tenor voice for more than a half century. In the 50s, Jimmy Martin said Paul Williams was one of his favorite tenor singers. Time has not diminished the quality of his remarkable voice - still clear, strong and distinctive and unchanged by time.
Williams is a blessing. He sings of his Savior, and he ministers to us in song. His mandolin is of tone and timing rather... »»»
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With his latest, Chris Knight proves to be equally at ease with acoustic ballads and hard alt.- country rockers. Knight seems to have mixed feelings about his life of the road. While in the opening track Home Sick Gypsy, he complains of "a month on the road and three day's sleep," he also acknowledges "my worst nightmare is standing still/Gotta get my fix of them rolling wheels." On the closing acoustic track Go On Home, Knight appears weary of the road ("You all just... »»»
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Rodney Crowell is in phase three, maybe four depending how you break it down, of his distinguished career. And he seems quite comfortable in his role of elder(ish) statesman, if comfort is represented by having no problem eloquently sharing what's on his mind. This latest introspective outing finds Crowell working with Joe Henry, the singer/songwriter turned in-demand producer who's fresh off similar work with Loudon Wainwright III and Mary Gauthier. As massaged by Henry and constructed... »»»
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Bruce Robison isn't an artist to joyously consume because of his singing voice. It is plain, though obviously functional by professional standards. But this Texas native really should labeled a songwriter/singer instead of the other way around. His songs are more spot-on real than Todd Snider, the performer with which his own world view is most closely aligned. Robison doesn't so much pull the listener into his own world as make that person believe he's been watching him... »»»
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Jason Boland and the Stragglers show greater sophistication than at least one better-known band in assailing a fellow Texan. "You bet they'd sing a different tune if a flood had hit D.C.," Boland asserts in the Hurricane Katrina critique Sons and Daughters of Dixie. Throughout the Stragglers' fifth studio release, the references are oblique, the attitude cool, the musicianship sharp - thanks partly to the production of Lloyd Maines - and the lyrics insightful... »»»
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Jimmy Wayne's turbulent childhood as a foster child and teen delinquent, and his personal journal writings, fueled many of the songs on his self-titled debut, painting him as a survivor and poet with a strapping, emotional voice and a penchant for vulnerable story songs. He brings more of these dramatic tales to his soulful sophomore effort (and first on the new label).
In Kerosene Kid, Wayne reminisces about facing his classmates' jeers each winter, as he smelled of the kerosene he... »»»
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With his first studio album in 5 years, Roger Creager comes back with a 13-song effort that captures the highs and lows of romance and loneliness. The Houston native starts with the rollicking, Waylon-esque song, I Love Being Lonesome. The tune has an interesting meaning, a guy who loves his independence and freedom but can't stand the lonely feelings he often gets. Creager captures the spirit of the road on songs like Driving Home and Let's Run, where it's almost impossible not to... »»»
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There seems to be a strong theme to this Georgia quintet's third major label CD. Almost every song is about country living. Either about how great it is to rusticate or conversely how great it is to get of the backwoods. In the title track and first single, the misplaced mobile homes feel out of place in a hip-hop world and long to return to Hillbilly Heaven. Blacktop Road and Country Folks (Livin' Loud) are paeans to pastoral living. The singer of Things You Don't Grow Out Of had... »»»
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Meet Crystal Shawanda - a native from the Ojibwa tribe who grew up on an Ontario reservation, and a successful graduate of television's starmarking machine. She was featured on a CMT reality mini-series (Crystal: Living the Dream) which followed her "career" before this, her first CD.
The first thing to know is that there's a quality to Shawanda's voice - it's all gravel and guts, and it sounds like it's logged a lot of miles. The rasp isn't just an... »»»
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Don't compare The Duhks of "Fast Paced World" with their previous efforts. Since "Migrations," Jessee Havey (vocals) left to be replaced by Sarah Dugas. Scott Senior (percussion) departed, replaced by Christian Dugas, Sarah's brother. At the core of the Canadian-based band remain Tania Elizabeth (fiddle), Jordan McConnell (guitar) and Leonard Podolak (banjo).
The Dukhs' eclectic stew still includes a base of old time and rootsy folk with Celtic/French Canadian... »»»
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What else can be said to boast the superlatives of Jerry Douglas? The endless talents are again on full display with his 12th solo release. The 11 songs feature 9 instrumentals and 2 great vocal performances. The star-studded guest list includes Sam Bush, who accompanies Douglas and co-writes the first lively instrumental titled Bounce. Tony Rice, Edgar Meyer, Lloyd Green, Carmella Ramsey and Earl Scruggs jump in and kick the instrumentals up to an amazing level on several Douglas-penned originals... »»»
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Cadillac Sky has joined the increasingly crowded field of progressive acoustic bands. Their instrumentation and vocal phrasing expose their bluegrass roots, while their presentation and spirit draw from rock and pop. All of the band members have great chops. There are moments where Matt Menefee's banjo rolls seem impossibly fast. Andy Moritz's relentless, rumbling bass anchors the complex arrangements. Their voices are well matched, and their use of falsetto make songs such as Inside... »»»
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In his solo debut, Old 97's bassist Murry Hammond has crafted a loving, 17-track effort that cuts a delightfully jagged path through various traditional music styles. Known for train songs, rootsy rambles and good-natured ditties in his day job, Hammond - using only acoustic instruments - covers similar territory here, with a spiritual, wistful vibe swirling through this low-key stunner.
The original "Lost at Sea" is certainly clever, catchy and "poppy" enough to have fit... »»»
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The title of the new CD from Glen Campbell is disarming. What's to "meet?" After more than 4 decades and massive hits 40 years ago with "Wichita Lineman" and others, Campbell does not need any introduction.
However, one suspects that the intent is to show off Campbell's extensive new skills to a different audience because this is a 10-song covers album and not heavily country sounding. And we're not talking Williams, Haggard and Willie either... »»»
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With a title like this, the suspicion was this album would be filled with songs of praise. Instead, it's filled with songs that speak to the human condition. Known for his songwriting prowess, Darrell Scott's powerful and gritty voice gives very new and different takes on songs written by other artists. Gordon Lightfoot's All the Lovely Ladies is tightly produced with a groove. Kris Kristofferson's Out Among the Stars is a story that's riveting to listen to, complete... »»»
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Gospel music is, of course, among the more elastic terms used to describe a genre of American music, or more accurately, any of a number of sub-genres ascribed to the many varieties of music variously labeled as "folk," "roots," "soul," "bluegrass" and more. To one audience, it may conjure the soaring black gospel sounds of James Cleveland, while to another it may take the form of the down-home Sunday meeting hymns and tunes performed by the likes of... »»»
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