Back To The Well (Blue Circle, 2006)

Most bluegrass fans are familiar with Alison Krauss and Rhonda Vincent. No less talented, but somewhat more under the radar, are terrific female bluegrass artists like Dale Ann Bradley, Lorraine Jordan, Gena Britt, Valerie Smith, Becky Buller and Julie Elkins.

These six, as well as many other of today’s most talented female singers, pickers and writers, make up the Daughters of Bluegrass project.

The material ranges from traditional and familiar, “Prisoner’s Song” and “Hickory Wind,” to originals from terrific writers like Louisa Branscomb, ”Fools’ Gold,” Michelle Nixon, “Grass Angels” and Buller, “Come On Down The Mountain.” Songwriting legends, Tom T & Dixie Hall wrote a number of the tunes featured here, including, “How Does It Feel” and “Homesick For The Hills.”

There really isn’t a bad track on this 13-song CD. Other artists featured, either in a lead or supporting role, include Jeanette Williams, Vicki Simmons, Donica Christianson, Heather Berry and Beth Lawrence

It should come as no surprise that there are many talented women in bluegrass. This terrific album more than reminds us of that fact. (P.O Box 681286, Franklin, TN 37068-1286)