Currently at the CST blogs
Old Things New –
Joe Nichols' life has taken some dramatic turns since the release of his last record, "Real Things." Ironically, the 2007 album's title was a perfect fit for this offering as those turns have led Nichols to record some of the most personal songs of his career. »»»
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Girl of the Century –
Rosie Flores is the last person that needs more spunk, but somehow producer Jon Langford found a way to add a few more ounces of bounce to this rockabilly firebrand's stride. Flores might be small in stature, but she sure works up a big, bold sound throughout this excellent release. »»»
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Family Circle –
From Sweet Appalachia to his girl leaning on a car fender in all of her Barbaric Splendor, Del McCoury reminds us his music and rural life is far from unsophisticated. The songs range from the straight bluegrass of Hello Lonely to the near swing tune I Remember You sung in high lonesome. There are waltzes, breakdowns, gold rush story songs and odes to moonshine in The Revenuer's Blues. »»»
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Dolly –
Over the course of 99 tracks on 4 discs, RCA/Legacy Recordings has given music fans a concise and nearly complete snapshot of Dolly Parton's considerable impact on country music with the release of the new box set - a task not accomplished by any other collection. The set covers all the career-defining hits you would expect. »»»
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Circles Around Me –
As a founding member of New Grass Revival, ace mandolin player Sam Bush played a key role in helping to develop a progressive bluegrass voice that broke away from the strict guidelines and conventions of traditional bluegrass music. Although he is primarily known for his spirit of innovation, Bush's latest release, his eighth as a solo artist, is notable because it embraces the traditional roots that first steered him toward bluegrass music. »»»
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Editorial: Taylor Swift sells out –
Taylor Swift is on a huge roll - big sales of her album "Fearless," well at least in this day and age. Hit singles. Fans flocking to her shows. She's all over the place in the media. Today, the news got even better for her as she started selling tickets to her 2010 shows. »»»
Country Music Trivia - The eastern Kentucky town of Pikeville happens to be home to both Dwight Yoakam and Patty Loveless.
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Country News
CD Reviews
 CST
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Album: 26 Years
CST's Take: It takes a courageous performer to swing the door wide open on a record, and it takes a skilled one to make you want to come inside to hum, sing, and dance along.
Rosie Flores becomes "Girl of the Century" –
Rosie Flores played in Screaming Sirens, back when cow-punk wasn't (yet) cool. She also helped turn Los Angeles, that underground roots rock town south of Bakersfield, into a flourishing alternative country music scene in the '80s. Her self-titled debut album was produced by Peter Anderson, who played guitar and produced some guy named Dwight Yoakam, and she even handled lead guitar work for Butch Hancock's band in 1994. She ain't done yet, though, as her new CD demonstrates. »»»
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The Avett Brothers get darker –
Since Scott and Seth Avett traded in the shredding indie rock sound of their first band, Nemo, for the front porch bluegrass vibe of the Avett Brothers nearly a decade ago, the North Carolina trio (Scott on banjo/vocals, Seth on guitar/vocals and stand-up bassist Bob Crawford) has come to define the DIY ethic. But now on a major label and uber producer Rick Rubin still at the helm, is that still the case? »»»
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Deer Tick rises with "Born on Flag Day" –
Deer Tick vocalist/guitarist/songwriter John McCauley III is clearly a guy who lets his music do the talking. And on the day of our interview, the Providence, R.I. native is letting his talking do the drinking as he simultaneously enjoys a sunny Colorado afternoon and a margarita before getting ready to drive to Portland, Ore. for the next night's show. "Wasting away again," says McCauley with an audible smile. »»»
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For Monsters of Folk, it's in the stars –
Time and tide do funny things to memory. When Matt Ward thinks back to how Monsters of Folk - the new multi-genre indie super group featuring Ward, Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis and My Morning Jacket's Jim James - came to be christened, he recalls that the name blinked into consciousness as though "it just came down out of the sky." »»»
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Hot Club of Cowtown pursues "Wishful Thinking" –
Once upon a time, Hot Club of Cowtown was an Austin-based trio, following in the footsteps of Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys. But with "Wishful Thinking," things are different. Hot Club is now a quartet, and they also have gone beyond the Wills effort to expand their sound. »»»
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Holly Williams mines family profession –
For an artist, a famous name could be both a blessing and a curse. But Holly Williams does not see it that way. The Williams in question is the daughter of Hank Jr., which also would make her the granddaughter of Hank Sr. She also is the half-sister of Hank III. The pressure presumably would be there, but Williams, who just released her second disc of country, rootsy and singer/songwriter sounds, "Here With Me" »»»
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Concert Review: Not the same old Avett Brothers, and that's okay –
This was not the same old Avett Brothers' performance. For starters, it was by far their biggest crowd in the area, coming close to filling a 2,200-capacity venue. But perhaps more importantly, it was a case of the sometimes country, sometimes rootsy, always high energy and raucous quartet touring behind their Rick Rubin-produced major label debut.... »»»
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