For the Lovin' of the Game (Compass, 2023)
Michael Cleveland
Reviewed by George Hauenstein
Cleveland is virtuoso on the fiddle. He is a top draw on the concert and festival circuits and is the most decorated 'Fiddle Player of the Year' by the International Bluegrass Music Association.
Instrumentals include "Thousand Dollar Holler," "Empty Pocket Blues" and his own compositions, "Contact" and "Five Points."
Billy Strings sings lead on Joe Ely's, "For Your Love,' one of the' best cuts. Other standouts include "Temperance Reel" with Luke Bulla and Tim O'Brien, "One Horse Town" featuring Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke and "I Wish I Knew Now What I Knew Then" with Vince Gill at his country-crooning best. Not to be overlooked are the contributions of Cleveland's longtime, award-winning, travelling band, Flamekeeper, featured on many tracks, including the title track, "Now She's Gone" and "Empty Pocket Blue."
"Lovin' of the Game" is one enjoyable listen.
CDs by Michael Cleveland



©Country Standard Time • Jeffrey B. Remz, editor & publisher • countrystandardtime@gmail.com
About • Copyright • Newsletter • Our sister publication Standard Time