The Infamous Stringdusters - Laws Of Gravity & Devils Backbone Brewing Company

Grammy nominated The Infamous Stringdusters (Andy Hall - dobro, Andy Falco - guitar, Chris Pandolfi - banjo, Jeremy Garrett - fiddle, and Travis Book - upright bass) -- are synonymous to good music and good beer. Their music is a fusion of what I would call campfire dancing music and contemporary newgrass. As for beer, think the Charlottesville beer scene and Devils Backbone Brewing Company - host venue for The Festy Experience music festival. Here's a video of Travis discussing both beer and music at the inaugural Festy many years ago. And if you plan to attend the 2017 addition in October expect to hear plenty of music from Laws of Gravity, The Stringdusters latest release which dropped January 13th.

In this release the band returns to their.progressive bluegrass roots with a theme of the freedom as a result of life on the road. Something they should know rather well.  Rotating lead vocals, solos, and tight harmonies provide an expected and consistent bouquet. But there's also a touch of soulful blues with This Ol’ Building and Back Home, which in addition to Soul Searching and Sirens, lift the mid palette and are the strongest section of the album. The tail finishes with high energy effervescence with Let Me Know and I Run To You. Classic Stringdusters.

The one problem with this release, and for that matter all the Stringdusters' seven studio releases, is that it can never capture the spirit of their live performance. Case in point is Sirens. The instrumentals are tight - but I'm sure the band blows away audiences performing this song live. Fortunately there are plenty of upcoming tour dates to experience a fantastic live show. I'm targeting the January 27th show at the 9:30 Club.

My favorite pairing option for Laws of Gravity is this DBBC Adventure sampler twelve pack. It includesthe Flor De Luna Belgium Blonde Ale, Berliner Metro Weiss, Smokehouse Porter, and Single Hop IPA. I hit all cylinders when fueled with a Berliner Weiss or Smoked Porter - as do the Stringdusters often in Laws of Gravity. Cheers.

Delfest Single Day Tickets Now Available

Delfest, the three day music festival running over Memorial Day Weekend is now selling single day tickets ($60) as their 4 day package is sold out. This Bluegrass-Americana based festival is held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD (2.5 hrs from Baltimore and DC). The lineup is crazy good with Del McCoury and The Travelin' McCourys headlining as usual. Then I'd be following
Tedeschi Trucks Band, Railroad Earth, Sam Bush Band, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Wood Brothers The Infamous Stringdusters feat. Nicki Bluhm, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Cabinet, Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, Dale Ann Bradley, Elephant Revival, Aoife O’Donovan plus many more excellent artists.

Album Review: Mipso - Old Time Reverie

I'm still rather troubled that this year I missed all the major music festivals I usually attend like Merlefest, Floydfest, and Bristol Rhythm & Roots. However, I've found a North Carolina quartet that is helping alleviate that pain. Mipso is a modified bluegrass band that should be part of Floydfest's Emerging Artist Series. And I say modified since they are not a traditional bluegrass band - and not newgrass either. Their latest release Old Time Reverie showcases this unique Appalachian sound. My favorite track is Bad Penny, shades of Americana fused with old time country. Everyone Knows is close behind. Mipso consists of Jacob Sharp (mandolin), Joseph Terrell (guitar), Wood Robinson (bass), and Libby Rodenbough (fiddle). The album showcases their tight harmonies and individual instrumentation. Pair with Chapel Hill's Top Of The Hill Brewery. Cheers.

Album Review: Tellico - Relic And Roses

I'm an admitted dobro and pedal steel junky, so it shouldn't be surprising that I totally enjoyed Tellico's dobro and steel laced debut release: Relic And Roses. Of course there's more to this album then just Aaron Ballance on the aforementioned instruments; Jed Willis contributes solid  mandolin and clawhammer banjo; Jon Stickley (producer) of the Jon Stickley Trio; and then there's Anya Hinkle (guitar, fiddle) and Stig Stiglets (bass). You may be familiar with these names from their Dehlia Low days and the two wrote all tracks except the Neil Young White Line-River of Pride medley. Their songs are rootsy and full of life, whether uplifting or sorrowful. The album starts with an authentic Appalachian sound in Backstep Blues but its Can't Go Home Again where the album hits its stride. Just hear those instruments. Would love to hear the playful Hawkeye Pierce and Honeycutt Blues live, and Farewell Winds is the most powerful track - until you hear Mexico 1995. This is a tremendous debut effort; suburb orchestration and songwriting. Well done. Pair with Blonde Whiskey from Asheville Distilling Company. Cheers.

Album Review: Sour Bridges - Entertaining Americana Rock

Austin-based band Sour Bridges proves that Americana-rock bands need not fear the banjo or fiddle. Brothers Bill and Matt Pucci have combined their love of bluegrass with electric guitar and bass and an occasional keyboard to create a funky, vibrant sound. Last month the band releases their self titled album, the third in their portfolio. My favorite songs are those where the fiddle and banjo are prevalent such as Teddy, Cocaine Lorraine, and Workin' Boy.  Kat “Mama Kat” Wilkes (fiddle), Dalton Chamblee (drums), Jack Bridges (vocals, bass guitar) and "hired gun" Ben Morgan (keys) round out the team. The waltzy Meet You There showcases the band's tight harmonies and Bumble Bee their rustic pickin' ability.  This is an impressive release; all songs diverse and entertaining. Pair with Richmond Virginia's Hardywood Park Craft Brewery where the band performs June 28th. Cheers.

Album Review: Kym Warner - Everything That Brought Me Here

Last month I attended another great house concert, this time featuring Kym Warner and Warren Hood, where the duo thoroughly entertained the captive audience. You should know Warner as a founding member of the Grammy nominated bluegrass outfit The Greencards. And Hood has an impressive following among The Waybacks fans as well as anyone from the Austin area. The duo were brilliant; entertaining with stories, humor, and music - many of these derived from Warner's debut solo album "Everything That Brought Me Here". Simply, this album is fantastic - the all acoustic release displaying Warner's mastery of the mandolin as well as the impressive musicianship of his guest musicians: Andy Hall (dobro) of the The Infamous Stringdusters, Tommy Emmanuel, Jedd Hughes, Carl Miner, Jake Stargel, Bill Whitbeck, David Beck, Brian Standefer, Jeff Taylor, Eric Darken and Dan Dugmore. I've had the album running continually during the day for the past few weeks and never tire with particular standouts in City to the Bay, El Paloma, Start Your Engines, San Leanna, and the highly relevant Great Falls. You won't be able to see Warner solo or with The Greencards this summer as he is touring with Robert Earl Keen as a member of his bluegrass band. In any event, pair Everything That Brought Me Here with Austin's (512) Brewing Company. Cheers.

Album Review: Todd Grebe and Cold Country - Citzen

I followed Bearfoot many years ago and then lost track of the band after a few member changes. Last week, however, Hearth PR provided a recollection of the bluegrass band by sending me the newest release from Todd Grebe and Cold Country, titled Citizen. It appears that Grebe joined the band in their final years, then married longtime member, Angela Oudean, and returned to Alaska to form the new band.  They also left their bluegrass sound in Nashville for this album is all honky-tonk country and Americana and its a good one. (Although I should note that they returned to Nashville to record this album at The Butcher Shoppe studio with Grammy-award winning recording engineer David Ferguson). The musicianship is excellent with Oudean, harmonies and of course fiddle, Nate May (telecaster), Larry Atamanuik (drums), Mike Bub (bass) with special  guests Steve Hinson (pedal steel), renowned Nashville session pianist Jimmy Wallace (piano) and Bearfoot alumni Megan McCormick (guitar). But it's Grebe's dusty vocals and songwriting that makes this release unique. Some of the lyrics have a John Prine quality with one of my favorites on the title track: "freedom isn't free; but I'm pretty sure it ain't costing for me". Other favorite tracks are Luckiest Man Here On Earth, Ain't That Fine, and You'll Never Find Me. Pair with one of my favorite beers, the Smoked Porter from Alaskan Brewing Company. Cheers.

Album Review: Trout Steak Revival - Brighter Every Day

It didn't take long to warm up to Colorado's Trout Steak Revival and their just released album Brighter Every Day. The appeal definitely starts with the band's orchestration and performance of the songs;  I had noticed a Stringduster-like quality even before I read that the album was produced by Chris Pandolfi. Another asset is that all five members [Steve Foltz (mandolin & guitar), Casey Houlihan (standup bass), Will Koster (dobro & guitar), Travis McNamara (banjo), and Bevin Foley (fiddle)] contribute vocals and songwriting so the album is a diverse ride through various landscapes. And interestingly, there's no particular favorite track; each is solid. Although if forced to choose the opening track, Union Pacific is pretty tight. Pair the album with Colorado's Songbird Cellars and Elevation Beer Company, where the band is scheduled to perform in May. Cheers.

Album Review: The Honeycutters - Me Oh My

Asheville based The Honeycutters are ready to release their third album, Me Oh My, later this month and after listening continuously the last few days; there is still no sign of fatigue.  From the opening track, Jukebox, the band exudes the rootsy country flavor of the album with front women and songwriter Amanda Anne Platt delivering genuine songwriting and vocals.  I found myself following the advice of that song "it's only a song, so for heaven's sake won't you sing along" and singing along with the rest of the album. The orchestration from the band is quite  pronounced throuhout with Tal Taylor (Mandolin), Rick Cooper (Bass), Josh Milligan (Drums), and Matt Smith (Pedal Steel, Dobro, Electric Guitar). These guys can play. The title track and Ain't It The Truth are two powerfully themed songs followed by one of my favorite tracks: Carolina. Little Bird is also a must listen as it was a finalist in MerleFest's Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. Want something more upbeat? I'll Be Loving You is for you; but Lucky may bring you back down. Pair with Asheville's music loving brewery, the French Broad Brewing Company. Cheers to this highly recommended album.

Album Review: Punch Brothers - The Phosphorescent Blues

The Punch Brothers have always been a leading force in progressive bluegrass and in their latest album, The Phosphorescent Blues, they are expanding the boundaries - perhaps too far. No one can ever question the musicianship of Chris Thile (mandolin),  Gabe Witcher (violn), Noam Pikelny (banjo), Chris Eldridge (guitar), Paul Kower (bass) and with the album having been produced by T Bone Burnette, the musicianship is tight. However, for my tastes, the songs are too pop-ish and theme, if there is one, too disjointed. It's not until Boll Weevil, when the group returns to their bluegrass roots, is there a song I enjoy. Fans of the Punch Brothers will no doubt add this one to their collection, but I'm waiting for a more bluegrass feel. Cheer.

Robert Earl Keen Goes Back to Bluegrass Roots in Happy Prisoner

As Dallas Wayne was introducing a song on Outlaw Country, he mentioned the Robert Earl Keen had started out playing bluegrass - an anecdote I had never heard before. Whether true or not, REK is hardcore on bluegrass now having just released Happy Prisoner - The Bluegrass Sessions.  I've heard several of the songs on Outlaw Country - principally the opening track "Hot Corn Cold Corn" and "East Virginia Blues". Even with the bluegrass arrangements, REK's unique vocals and demeanor are clearly recognizable. . The song choices also standout with "Vincent Black Lightning" (compare with Del McCoury), "Long Black Veil", "Wayfaring Stranger" (w/ Natalie Maines), and "T For Texas" (w/ Lyle Lovett). And Bluegrass favorite, Peter Rowan, joins in on "Walls of Time". I mean, what's not to like. Looking forward to listening for another 30 years of REK. Pair with College Station's Blackwater Draw Brewing Company or New Republic Brewing. Cheers.

Album Review: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers - Live At The Old Feed Store

I realized this morning that I've been listening to the newest release from Chris Jones & the Night Drivers - Live At the Old Feedstore for about over two months now and failed to publish anything about it. Needless to say, I've been enjoying this Bluegrass album, the Night Drivers are an extremely tight band: Jones, banjo man Ned Luberecki, bassist Jon Weisberger, and mandolinist Mark Stoffel. Like me, many of you are familiar with Jones and Luberecki from SiriusXM Radio's Bluegrass Junction. Weisberger was recipient of the IBMA's first Songwriter of the Year in 2012 and Stoffel is an outstanding . The album starts with an ode to the Stanley Brothers "Bound to Ride" and an original - "Like a Hawk". Luberecki's banjo heats up in "Emergency Pulloff" and closes the album out with "Pike County Breakdown". You'll be clapping along with the audience. My favorite track is Then I Close My Eyes with accompanying harmonies from 2013 IBMA Momentum Vocalist of the Year Emily Bankester. "Lonely Town" and George Jones "I Cried Myself Awake" are a close second. And even The Sound Of Music’s "Edelweiss" gets a play. Pair with Woodbury Tennessee's (home of the Old Feed Store) Short Mountain Distillery. Cheers.

Album Review: Progressive Bluegrass with Front Country - Sake of the Sound

I knew that voice was familiar when I heard the first track (Gospel Train) of Sake of the Sound, the debut album of Front Country a Bay Area collection of like minded musicians. That familiar voice, Melody Walker, whose Gold Rush Goddess and We Made it Home (with Jacob Groopman) we've reviewed in the recent past. Joining Walker and Groopman to form Front Country are Adam Roszkiewicz, Jordan Klein, Leif Karlstrom, and Zach Sharpe. This band is tight as evident by winning the 2012 Rockygrass band competition and in 2013 the equivalent at Telluride. Walker handles most of the vocals and has the range for gospel to melodic as in the title track. The second song, One Kind Word, encapsulates this band's abilities: Walker's vocals, tight harmonies, individual picking, all melding into one glorious song. The same with the album. Can't believe I missed their East Coast swing into Raleigh for the IBMA's World of Bluegrass.Won't make that mistake again. Pair with Magnolia Gastropub and Brewery. Cheers.

Album Review: The Warren G. Hardings - Get A Life

This week I received another sample from Hearth Music,  this time from the high-energy Seattle string-band The Warren G. Hardings and their latest release: Get A Life. And I'm talking high energy - it slows for Anonymous Waltz - but otherwise Dave Zelonka (Guitar), Gabriel Marowitz (Mandolin), Andrew Knapp (Bass), Steve Werner (Banjo), and Lee Callender (Fiddle) crank out some fast based music. Even at the frenetic pace, the harmonies are spot on. Check out Darling. The songs are all original with some great lines - “my girl is cool as water/warm as brandy wine” - or the lyrics in What Can I Say & Cannibal Lies. Pair this brewgrass with one of Seattle's McMenamins live music friendly breweries. Cheers

Nickle Creek Returns with A Dotted Line

Photo by Brantley Gutierrez

I was completely surprised last week to learn that Nickle Creek has regrouped to release a new CD - A Dotted Line. I've enjoyed following the careers of Sara Watkins, Sean Watkins, and Chris Thile since the "tragic" disbandment - when was that, early 2007?  Each have proven that the prodigy label was no fluke, by continuing their solo careers and successfully fronting other bands.  Now they are back with a release that accentuates each performer's strengths - gliding between each of their instruments and then punctuated with stellar harmonies. The songs oscillates between traditional and non-traditional so this isn't the bluegrass you were accustomed from hearing from the 2000's era Nickle Creek. Just check out the punkish Hayloft or the gospel-ish 21st of May where Sean Watkins' guitar sounds a bit like Larry Keel. The album grabbed my attention with Destination, which has it all - Sara Watkins wonderful voice, tight harmonies, and catchy picking. They nail the two instrumentals (Elsie & Elephant in the Corn) and Thile fronts a couple sure winners in Love of Mine and You Don't Know What's Going On. The trio are touring all Spring in support of A Dotted Line so get your tickets soon as some venues have already sold out - like the Nightclub 9:30. Pair with Carlsbad California's Witch Creek Winery.

Album Review: The Howlin' Brothers - Trouble

It seems like The Howlin' Brothers keep popping up on our radar; first with their debut CD Howl, then their Sun Sessions and now a new CD, Trouble. This album is due to be released April 29th, but I received an early link and have been enjoying their old style Americana. And point blank, I love this release. Why? Well I love blues and there's plenty of that in Night and Day. I love zydeco, and there's a little of that in Monroe and Louisiana. Gospel - you bet: Yes I Am!; Old time country roots - World Spinning Round. They round the bases, nailing each genre and delivering a powerful, powerful release. This is how music should be performed - at least in my world. Pair with home town Ithaca Beer Company. Cheers.

Album Review: Katie Glassman and Snapshot - Dream a Little Dream

Thanks to McGuckin Publicity, I've been following fiddler champion Katie Glassman for a couple years now. That interest was solidified when she named grand champion at the 2014 Colorado Fiddle Championships in February of this year. This on the heals of winning fiddle competitions at Rockygrass and Walnut Valley Festival in 2013. Obviously, she can play.

Then came along word that her latest album, Dream a Little Dream, was released March 4th. Glassman's new band, Snapshot, includes Eric Moon on piano and accordion, Greg Schochet on guitar, and Charlie Mertens on bass as well as guest appearances by Tim O'Brien and John Macy (pedal steel). Nice supporting cast. The music is a combo of old-time western swine augmented with some early 20th century jazz; a sound which is far from surprising since Glassman is also a trained jazz violinist. The result is a new style of music that melds these influences together into an enjoyable sound from the first track to the last. I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine, Little Dream of Mine, and Jubilee Stomp are two of the clearest examples of this blending of styles.  Glassman's songwriting and vocals shine in Sweet Lies, one of those powerful songs that linger long after the last note; Good Times Gone By is another favorite track. Cheers to fiddle music.

Cabinet's 2nd annual Susquehanna Breakdown Music Festival

We've been listening quite a lot to This Is Cabinet – Set II; the most current live release from Cabinet and now we have a chance to see these songs live at the 2nd annual Susquehanna Breakdown Music Festival. The festival will occur at The Pavilion at Montage Mountain on Saturday, May 10th and features the following acts:  Cabinet, Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds, Marco Benevento, Floodwood featuring Al Schnier & Vinnie Amico of moe., Terrapin Flyer featuring Melvin Seals & Mark Karan, Driftwood, Leroy Justice, And The Moneynotes, Coal Town Rounders, East Bound Jesus, Kalob Griffin Band, The Brummy Brothers, Blind Owl Band, Tom Graham, FMO, and The Schooley Mountain Band.

Tickets are on sale now and available at Ticketmaster.com, The Pavilion Box Office (1000 Montage Mountain Road Scranton/ normal box office hours will resume in the Spring), Ticketmaster Outlets, or by-phone at 800-745-3000. Tickets are: $20 (GA), $25 (GA day of show), $55 (VIP), $60 (VIP day of show), $20 (Camping), $25 (Camping day of show). Additional fees may apply to tickets.

While listening to This Is Cabinet - Set II or at the festival pair with The Lion Brewery from neighboring Wilkes Barre. Cheers

Album Review: Cahalen Morrison & Eli West - I'll Swing My Hammer With Both My Hands

All it takes to appreciate I'll Swing My Hammer With Both My Hands, the latest from the acoustic duo Cahalen Morrison & Eli West, is to listen to the first track Fiddlehead Farm.The song includes all the attributes that I have come to appreciate from these two: outstanding picking, melodies, and balanced harmonies. What a song. The rest of the album mixes gospel, Appalachian themes, and Irish folk, with special guest fiddlers Ryan Drickey and Brittany Haas as well as bassist Erin Youngberg played bass, and Tim O’Brien. In fact O'Brien produced the release, ensuring a CD well worth grabbing - all you need is a Pocket Full of Dust (my 2nd favorite track).  Since it was recorded in the Colorado Rockies, pair with Fort Collins based Odell Brewing Company or New Belgium Brewing Company. Cheers.

A Plethora of New Music in the Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine's Trail Mix

Last month we stumbled upon Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine's Trail Mix series where they feature musicians tailored for the great outdoors. We have recently reviewed many of these songs or they are waiting in our cue for a later review. (Annie Ford Band, Chase Gassaway - Certain Circles, The Farewell Drifters - Tomorrow Forever, Levi Lowrey, Cahalen Morrison & Eli West, Charlie Parr, The Steel Wheels, and Travis Book) Put them in your cue now - we guarantee you will enjoy it. Click the images to download the entire month's songs or each link for single mp3. Cheers.

1. Odessa – I Will Be There
2. Adrian Krygowski – Roam
3. Cahalen Morrison and Eli West – James is Out
4. Charlie Parr – Clearlake
5. Chase Gassaway – Feeling Good
6. Dirk Powell – Rollin’ Round This Town
7. Drive-By Truckers – Pauline Hawkins
8. Hurray For The Riff Raff – I Know It’s Wrong
9. Jimbo Mathus & The Tri-State Coalition – White Angel
10. Lake Street Dive – Bad Self Portraits
11. Levi Lowrey – Picket Fences
12. Lydia Loveless – To Love Somebody
13. Naomi Wachira – Burn Me
14. Nate Jones – Another Night, Another Town
15. Nicole Atkins – Girl You Look Amazing
16. Peggy Sue – Idle
17. Robert Ellis – Only Lies
18. Scott Biram – When I Die.mp3
19. St. Paul & The Broken Bones – Call Me
20. The Deer Run Drifters – Burn
21. The Far West – On The Road
22. Farewell Drifters – Modern Age

1. Railroad Earth – When the Sun Gets in Your Blood
2. Annie Ford Band – Buick 1966
3. Blackie & The Rodeo Kings – South
4. Elizabeth & The Catapult – Like It Never Happened
5. Iain Matthews – Ghost Changes
6. Leo Welch – Praise His Name
7. Lone Justice – Nothing Can Stop My Loving You
8. Los Lonely Boys – Blame It On Love
9. Mode Moderne – Baby Bunny
10. Sleepy Sun – Galaxy Punk
11. The Blushin’ Roulettes – Purple Clouds
12. The Pixies – Blue Eyed Hexe
13. The Railsplitters – Jackson Town
14. The Sacred Shakers – All Day, All Night
15. The Steel Wheels – Winters Coming
16. Travis Book – 50 Miles of Elbow Room