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 (Click here for Newsletter 302 in PDF format) |
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JUST IN! We have just received our initial
supplies of the following three eagerly awaited
records: We will have them on sale for $ 12.00
each until Dec. 30 !
ROU-0610 DAILEY & VINCENT “Singing From The
Heart” Great gospel! See Page 3
REB-1834 STEEP CANYON RANGERS “Deep In The
Shade” Fine BG
MCM-0014 DEL McCOURY BAND “Family Circle” 14
songs
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SUG-4057-CD ADAM STEFFEY 'One More For The Road' Over the past few years Adam Steffey has built up a well deserved reputation as one of the top 4 or 5 mandolin pickers in Bluegrass, and this nicely produced new CD does him justice. Steffey, who has been a member of Alison Krauss’ Union Station, plays a few neat instrumentals like DURANG’S HORNPIPE, HALF PAST FOUR and DEEP ROUGH, with help from Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Clay Hess (guitar), Barry Bales (bass) and Ron Block (banjo). He handles 5 of the lead vocals himself, with two others featuring Alison Krauss (WARM KENTUCKY SUNSHINE) and Dan Tyminski (LET ME FALL—maybe the highlight of the album). Other fine cuts are A BROKEN HEART KEEPS BEATING and Red Allen’s DON’T LIE TO ME. Recommended. (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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BACM-280-CD DYKES MAGIC CITY TRIO & ROBINETTE & MOORE 'Complete Recordings' The British Archive of Country Music has sort of continued in the path of the old Document label, except that the BACM issues have better sound quality and are more attractively packaged. On this new “old-time” issue, the label has gathered all 14 of the songs & tunes recorded in March, 1927 by this intriguing Dykes Magic City Trio from southwestern Virginia. Rounding out the 22-track CD are 8 songs & tunes by another couple of artists from the same region, Melvin Robinette and Byrd Moore. Lots of good old time music here. (more...) $15.00 Buy Now
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STEIN-20092-CD PHILLIP STEINMETZ & HIS SUNNY TENNESSEANS 'Look Who Is Here' The 3rd or 4th compact disc by Steinmetz, who shows the heavy influences of Grandpa Jones and Uncle Dave Macon. An entertaining 14-song workout. (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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BEE BALM-311-CD BARTOW RILEY 'Panhandle Texas Fiddling' One of a number of good Texas fiddlers who took part in the active contest scene in the 1960s and 70s, Riley cut several tunes for a Texas fiddle anthology issued by County records in the mid 1960s, then cut this 20 tune album as an LP for the West Virginia based Kanawha label shortly after. While not quite in the caliber of the Benny Thomassons or Solomons, Riley was a solid and competent musician who could hold his own with most of the top fiddlers of the day. He is here accompanied by the usual Texas “sock guitar”, and contributes several tunes that have not been recorded elsewhere, as well as Texas classics like LIME ROCK. TOM & JERRY, DRAGGIN THE BOW, JACK OF DIAMONDS, DUSTY MILLER, GREY EAGLE, etc. (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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SKFR-1009-CD RICKY SKAGGS 'Solo-Songs My Dad Loved' Skaggs plays all the instruments and provides all the singing parts on this fine collection of old-time and early country songs that he learned from his dad Hobert. In all cases the arrangements are laid back, simple but appropriate and always tasteful. He uses a variety of stringed instruments including fiddle, mandolin, mandocello, dobro and even fretless 5-string banjo in turning out excellent versions of songs like BRANDED WHEREVER I GO, FOGGY RIVER, LITTLE MAGGIE, SINNER YOU BETTER GET READY, GREEN PASTURES IN THE SKY and GOD HOLDS THE FUTURE IN HIS HANDS. If there’s one minor complaint it’s that the type in the 8-page foldout of notes is pretty difficult to read (there are words to all the songs). Otherwise, a really nice record. (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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MS-2009-CD DARREN BEACHLEY 'Sad Songs & Sunday Mornings' After a stint with Doyle Lawson’s band, Beachley strikes out on his own with this well done 14 song collection. His current group is known as “The Legends of the Potomac”, and it consists of Mike Auldridge on dobro, Tom Gray on bass, Norman Wright on mandolin and Mark Delaney on 5-string banjo. Beachley’s voice reminds us a lot of Larry Stephenson. He has a well selected group of songs here, both old and new, including RED ROCKING CHAIR, COAL MINER’S DREEAM, OVER IN THE GLORYLAND, JOURNEY’S END, OLD COUNTRY CHURCH, DADDY’S CHAIR, etc. (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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OH-2001-CD VARIOUS ARTISTS 'Old Homestead Gospel Collection' In its long history, Michigan’s Old Homestead label has featured a lot of good Bluegrass gospel music, and this 24-track collection is a nice sampler of this label. Some of the better known artists included here are Larry Sparks, The Easter Brothers, Charlie Moore, Emma Smith, Delia Bell & Bill Grant, Red Smiley, Charlie Sizemore and Wade & Julia Mainer—just one track by each artist. (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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LTA-2102-CD JOSHUA GOFORTH & HILARY DIRLAM 'Basic Ingredients' Here’s an excellent record for those who enjoy the combination of fiddle and old time banjo. Goforth—a young North Carolina fiddler who has made a name for himself—is joined by Ms. Dirlam, who provides a solid banjo backup on the 19 tunes heard here (no vocals). Both musicians have been inspired and taught by two excellent fiddlers from western N.C., brothers Gordon and Arvil Freeman. A fine program of well chosen old time tunes includes such pieces as GOLD RUSH, LEATHER BREECHES, JUNE APPLE, HOPPIN JOHN, TURKEY BUZZARD, BENTON’S DREAM, SANDY RIVER, FISHER’S HORNPIPE, PIKE’S PEAK., etc. (NOTE: We understand that this is a reissue of a CD that was out about 10 years ago). (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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OLD HAT-1007-CD VARIOUS 'Gastonia Gallop: Cotton Mill Songs & Hillbilly Blues' Collector Marshall Wyatt continues to put out wonderful re-issues on his OLD HAT label, and this is another welcome addition for anyone who loves the old-time sounds of the 1920s and 30s as they appeared on the old 78s of the time. Before you even get to the music, the stunning 24-page booklet of notes (designed by David Lynch) is enough to warm the heart of any old time music fan. As for the songs & tunes here, there are a very generous 24 tracks, by such North Carolina artists as Wilmer Watts, Carolina Twins, Dave McCarn, The Tobacco Tags and Fletcher & Foster. Basically, the musicians heard here were all connected with the cotton mills that played such a big part of life in the Piedmont region of North Carolina before World War II. The seven cuts that feature Wilmer Watts are alone worth the price of the album, and everything is remastered beautifully. A superb, first class production all the way, and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! BONNIE BESS, WORKING FOR MY SALLY, RED ROSE RAG, COTTON MILL COLIC, etc. (more...) $15.00 Buy Now
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BACM-247-CD KENNETH HOUCHINS 'The Yodeling Drifter' 23 songs with guitar and yodel by this Illinois musician who performed in the mid-west in the 1930s and recorded for the Gennett label in 1933 and 1934. With a style very similar to Jimmie Rodgers and Gene Autry, he was obviously signed to the label to take advantage of the popularity of those artists. He might well have achieved greater popularity had not his recordings come out in the height of the Depression, and on a struggling smaller label as well. Historian Tony Russell provides some informative notes to the re-issue, which includes songs like THE END OF MEMORY LANE, GOOD LUCK OLD PAL, BEHIND THESE GREY WALLS, BACK TO OLD SMOKY MOUNTAIN, etc. (more...) $15.00 Buy Now
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REB-1800-CD VARIOUS 'Christmas In The Mountains' Designed to replace the Rebel label’s perennial favorite “Christmas Time Back Home” (now out of print), this wonderful new collection combines a few great old recordings with some brilliant new songs, in a 14-song package that should please any Bluegrass fan. The disc features 3 fine new songs by the Wildwood Valley Boys, CHRISTMAS IN CAROLINE, CHRISTMAS TIME, and WHEN IT’S SNOWING IN THE MOUNTAINS, all well-written and beautifully sung. Another cut that could become a classic is the powerful CHRISTMAS LETTER by North Carolinian Tommy Edwards. There’s a nice CHRISTMAS IN VIRGINIA by the Lost & Found, two fine cuts by Paul Williams, and Ralph Stanley II’s poignant MARY, MERRY CHRISTMAS. Also included are the original classic versions of CHRISTMAS TIME BACK HOME (Country Gentlemen), BEAUTIFUL STAR OF BETHLEHEM (Ralph Stanley) and two great Larry Sparks songs (CHRISTMAS TIME’S A-COMING and BLUE CHRISTMAS). This is a lovely seasonal collection that we can HIGHLY RECOMMEND. (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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PRC-1133-CD VARIOUS 'A Pinecastle Christmas Gatherin' Florida’s Pinecastle label has put together a nice collection of 18 Christmas pieces sung and played by its extensive roster of Bluegrass artists. Some of the most effective cuts are 2 songs by David Parmley & Continental Divide, the Special Consensus’ GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN, Jim Hurst & Missy Raines doing HEAVEN’S LIGHT, and a fine WHITE CHRISTMAS by Charlie Waller. Other tracks feature Jesse McReynolds, Nothin Fancy, The Village Singers, Sally Jones, Wildfire, Eddie & Martha Adcock and Larry Stephenson among others. MY CHRISTMAS DREAM, FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, SNOOPY’S CHRISTMAS, WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS, ONE STARRY NIGHT, AWAY IN A MANGER, NEW KID IN TOWN, etc. (more...) $13.50 Buy Now
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EK-85967-CD PATTY LOVELESS 'Bluegrass & White Snow' 13 Christmas standards sung beautifully by Loveless with acoustic backup by a variety of musicians including Stuart Duncan (fiddle) and Rob Ickes (dobro). FIRST NOEL, DRUMMER BOY, CAROL OF THE BELLS, SILVER BELLS, BEAUTIFUL STAR OF BETHLEHEM, JOY TO THE WORLD, etc. (more...) $15.00 Buy Now
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