Album Review: Grant Dermody - Sun Might Shine on Me

If you are a fan of acoustic country blues and harmonica, then the latest from Seattle blues harmonicist Grant Dermody is for you. Sun Might Shine on Me was recorded in Southwest Louisiana at the studio home of Dirk Powell (Joan Baez, T-Bone Burnett, Balfa Toujours) and the release is reminiscent of historic recordings whether from the Mississippi Delta, Appalachia, or Cajun country. Dermody is joined by a fleet of talented players in Creole fiddler Cedric Watson (Pine Leaf Boys), Creole swamp-pop elder drummer Jockey Etienne (Slim Harpo); Seattle-based blues and folk guitar master Orville Johnson (Laura Love), and Texas-based blues mandolinist Rich Del Grosso (Howard “Louie Blouie” Armstrong). When You Left pretty much exemplifies the album; slow and steady acoustic guitar, harp, and Dermody's raspy vocals. Check out So Sorry To Leave You and J'ai Passe as well. Pair with Southwest Louisiana's Bayou Teche Brewing. 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: Norman Blake - Wood, Wire & Words

Hopefully readers are familiar with folk legend Norman Blake. At the very least you are familiar with his projects with the Johnny Cash Show, Kris Kristofferson, Dylan's Nashville Skyline, John Hartford's Aereo-Plain, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's Will the Circle Be Unbroken, or O Brother, Where Art Thou?.  Well, he's out with a solo acoustic album titled Wood, Wire & Words - just Blake and his guitar with one harmony from his wife Nancy.  The album is his first release of original material in 30 years and consists of outlaw and old time folk songs. In many instances Blake gives a brief introduction on the song's background as in a live performance. My favorites are the rags, just Blake picking his guitar.  Every song chronicles a piece of history so for those who like to remember and honor the past, this release is for you. Coming January 20th on Plectrafone Records. Cheers.

Album Review: Billy Strings & Don Julin - Fiddle Tune X

If you like fiddle tunes, then you need to rush out and grab this new release from Billy Strings & Don Julin: Fiddle Tune X.  The catch, is that there isn't a fiddle in these tunes, just a guitar and mandolin. But boy, can these two play. 22-year-old guitarist Billy Strings and mandolinist Don Julin tear it up; pure energy. The vocals? Straight out of the Appalachian mountains. This is one downright enjoyable album - even when they slow it down with " Lonesome Moonlight Waltz" or "I Am A Pilgrim". But for me, "Beaumont Rag" says it all. Pair with Michigan's Short’s Brewing Company where the duo perform November 1st.

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

Album Review: The Blushin' Roulettes - Old Mill Sessions

Anybody else ever heard of The Blushin' Roulettes? I came across their latest release - Old Mill Sessions - from Hearth Music and I strongly encourage you to seek out this act. Their tag line is "The Blushin’ Roulettes deliver old-time tunes with a modern twist"; and they are true to form. Modern twist - yea, check out Coffee Black Night or the exquisite Sadness Thief. Whereas Angie Heimann (guitar) leads most songs, and has a beautiful voice, the best comes when Cas Sochacki (dobro) adds his baritone voice to the duet in Let It Roll. Heimann's solo in Jillian is another favorite accompanied by fine instrumentals from Buddy Stubbs (lead guitar). One sad note is that drummer Jubal Stedman passed away suddenly right before their mid-February release. God bless.

Album Review: Robert Sarazin Blake

I noticed that Blue Ridge Outdoors had included Robert Sarazin Blake song Dingle To Tralee in their March Trail Mix and I had forgotten that I had received the self titled album in which this song is the opening track. This is definitely an appropriate song to include in the compilation since its my favorite track - as the remainder of the CD is hit or miss. At times Blake uses the spoken tradition of folk, and these seemed to incorporate most of the misses. Yet throughout, he delivers intricate guitar and it's obvious each song is written and performed from the heart. Jefferson Hamer, Eamon O’Leary, Jacob Silver, and Rob MacMillan provide the msuical support, but don't miss Anaïs Mitchell's harmonies in Our Winter in New York. Pair with Bellingham Washington's Boundary Bay Brewery beer and live music provider. 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.

Album Review: Annie Ford Band

We recently received a link from HearthPR to download the self titled debut CD from Annie Ford Band.  Ms. Ford currently resides in Seattle, but her early roots are in rural Virginia and this release encapsulates some of the traditions of old time music. But it is also a classic country sound with bits of pedal steel and rhythm guitar as well as some bluesy notes in some tunes. Ford's vocals are soothing and rhythmic; clean yet powerful. They are balanced with a talented set of musicians, including Ford on the fiddle, that support and integrate the vocals but do not overshadow. The CD is available at Bandcamp and the rhythmic, sultry Buick 1966 is available as part of the Trail Mix January 2014 from Blue Ridge Outdoors. Pair with Seattle's Pike Brewing Company -  a music friendly venue. Cheers.

CD Review: Melody Walker & Jacob Groopman: We Made it Home

Sometime in the past, I was fortunate that my email address entered the mail listing for Hearth Music, for they have provided me with some awesome music - including Melody Walker and her CD Gold Rush Goddess. Recently they sent me Walker's latest collaboration with partner Jacob Groopman -- We Made it Home -- which is also produced by folk icon Laurie Lewis.  The result is pure entertainment. There's great guitar picking (such as in the title track, Retinue, and Little Blue Caboose); beautiful harmonies (Retinue again and Black Grace); and great balance between songs lead by Walker and then Groopman. His Come on Mule and Sweet Sunny South may be my favorites - both with Levon Helm-ish qualities. There's also a moving song about "Billy the Champ" and two unique covers: Paul Simon's Graceland and Mississippi Moon from Peter Rowan.  This duo has shown that winning the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest was no fluke.  Pair with a 21st Amendment Bitter American. Cheer.

Album Review: The Dustbowl Revival - Swing Low on that New River Train

Well, I've been searching for a replacement for  The Belleville Outfit once they disbanded a couple years back and  think I have found it in Venice California based The Dustbowl Revival.  In fact, its a bit like Belleville Outfit joining  the Holy Ghost Tent Revival.There's jazz, gospel, blues, bluegrass, and even some jig band character to the outfit - once again, what's not to like. I was recently sent their latest CD Carry Me Home, and it feels right at home immediately - starting off with the gospel traditional Swing Low. They continue the gospel sound in John the Revelator and continue the traditional trend with a jamming version of New River Train. Riverboat Queen may be my favorite primary due to the sexy vocals of Caitlyn Doyle - just in time for The Great Gatsby. But it could also be the instrumental solos - pretty cool song. And there's plenty more. Looking forward to the band playing this summer at the Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville, Virginia. Cheers.

Album Review: Dubl Handi - Up Like The Clouds

Dubl Handi, "a lovely small washboard with a Galvanized metal rubbing surface. This washboard was specifically designed to take away with you so you could wash your clothes on the move!"  Whoops, wrong Dubl Handi. I mean Dubl Handi, the acoustic duo of Brian Geltner and Hilary Hawke, not the washboard from the The Columbus Washboard Company. Well, you can see where their name derives. We were sent a preview copy of their new CD "Up Like The Clouds" and we will never be confused again. First, this album brings back many memories with historic classics such as Little Birdie, New River Train, Cluck Old Hen, Single Girl, and Poor Ellen Smith. And it introduced me to some other classics such as Katie Cruel, C'mon Baby, and  Randy Lynn Rag. How did I miss that Earl Scruggs hit?  But a single song, alone, sums up this release. Check out Undone in Sorrow. Beautiful vocals, soothing banjo from Hawke, and melodic snare drum rhythms from Geltner. Awesome. We've been listening to a lot of great music coming out of Brooklyn (Yarn, Spirit Family Reunion). Dubl Handi can be added to that list.