From June 2001 Newsletter

	Alison Brown- Fair Weather (Compass Records 4292) Joined by members of side project New Grange as well as Vince Gill, Claire Lynch, and others, Brown’s Grammy Award winning album features excellent banjo playing and interesting song selection. Songs by Elvis Costello (“Everyday I Write the Book”) and Fred Neil (“Everybody’s Talking”) are joined by several instrumentals including “Leaving Cottondale” and “Girl’s Breakdown.” Brown is a very relaxed player who does not dominate at the expense of her compatriots.

	Sam Bush- Ice Caps: Peaks of Telluride (Sugar Hill CD 3917) Culled from various performances at the Telluride Festival, Sam Bush features the best of his ‘nineties repertoire. Accompanied by a variety of friends including John Cowan and Bela Fleck, his bandmates in New Grass Revival, Bush’s musical choices are not for everyone but there is enough of both traditional and ‘newgrass’ mandolin playing here to satisfy most. The material covered goes from Monroe and Dylan to Van Morrison and Kool and the Gang (!) A wild ride but one you’ll want to experience over and over.

	John Duffey- Always In Style: A Collection (Sugar Hill SUG 3926) John Duffey was the founding member of the Seldom Scene and guided the band to the upper echelon of bluegrass musicianship. This collection features the best of the Seldom Scene’s material that featured Duffey’s voice and mandolin. Including tracks from eighteen years of Sugar Hill studio and live recordings, highlights are many: “After Midnight,” “Tennessee Blues”, “Hickory Wind,” and “Life is Like a Mountain Railway.” Subsequent to Duffey’s passing in 1996, the Seldom Scene has reformed and will.

	Jim Lauderdale and Ralph Stanley- I Feel Like Singing Today (Rebel CD 1755) This 1999 project brought together one of today’s most respected songwriters and one of bluegrass’s founding fathers. It features the Clinch Mountain Boys so you know the playing is quite traditional and excellent. Lauderdale’s new songs and other more standard music complement each other. A nice change of pace for listeners looking for a fresh approach to bluegrass.

	Jenny Lester- Friends Like You (Triple Header Music 20210) British Columbia’s Jenny Lester is familiar to these parts having appeared at all the local festivals. She is joined by members of John Reischman and the Jaybirds (including himself), Slowdrag, and Jerusalem Ridge on this project featuring four terrific originals and interpretations of others’ material. The clean production (by Reischman) allows all the musicians space for their playing while ensuring that the instruments do not pile on top of each other. A classy recording from a sensational talent.

	Del McCoury- A Deeper Shade of Blue (Rounder 303) This 1993 album was the first to feature the current lineup of the Del McCoury Band and is a very fine introduction to this consummate bluegrass ensemble; there is likely not a better band in North America, as their numerous IBMA awards attest. Del McCoury’s high lonesome vocals are used to full effect on numbers such as "Cheek to Cheek With the Blues” and “I Know His Voice.” The arrangements are challenging and Ronnie McCoury¹s mandolin playing is featured upfront on several numbers.

	Tim O’Brien and Darrell Scott- Real Time (Howdy Skies 1003) If you are not familiar with Darrell Scott you are missing out on one of the most inspired acoustic guitar players you’ve never heard. Combined with his compelling voice, and Tim O’Brien’s instrumental and vocal expertise, Real Time becomes a classic recording. “A House of Gold,” “With A Memory Like Mine,” and ”Walk Beside Me” are just three highlights from an album without a weak moment. Recorded in ‘real time’ at Darrell’s home, O’Brien and Scott have produced an album for the ages.

	The Reedy Buzzards- self titled (self-released) This quartet from Washington State blew me away at Wintergrass 2001 with their terrific harmonies, sweet sound, and the most beautiful bass fiddle I’ve ever seen (a deep walnut colour with a vibrant grain...mmm) While this recording features no originals, the band has made inspired choices. The Louvins, the Delmores, and Monroe are represented as are Hank Williams, Jimmy C. Newman and others. If you are ever going to buy an album by mail-order, make it this one. Trust me... you’ll love it. If you want to hear it, track me down at a jam. (Ruth Werner email- reedybuzzards@hotmail.com (425) 640-7185).

	John Reischman and the Jaybirds- self-titled (Corvus CR008) If you caught their show in April at Festival Hall, you know all you need to know about this group. Top notch in every way, the recording features a clean sound with crisp instrumentation and sharp harmonies. If you didn’t pick up a copy at the concert, I suggest you reconsider as the blend of originals, contemporary covers, and traditional material is near perfect.

	Slowdrag- Ploughin’ It Right To The Fence (Corvus CR007) Another notable recording out of British Columbia, and like the others mentioned, this has John Reischman all over it. Slowdrag is a three-piece band that features terrific duet and solo singing with a bluegrass/folk sound that never lets up. Highlights include the song “Shadows of my Mind”, a couple Hazel Dickens songs, a Monroe, and a Louvin song. The band members contribute a few, as does Koralee’s mom. A very cool, old-time album reminiscent of the Freight Hoppers and Gillian Welch/David Rawlings.

	Rhonda Vincent- Back Home Again (Rounder 0460) Mandolin player Vincent’s most recent recording has proven to be very popular with bluegrass fans and those more comfortable with traditional country. Bryan Sutton shines throughout this album and Vincent’s vibrant, pleasing voice is one of the best in the business. This strong collection of songs was one of the strongest bluegrass albums released last year.
	Luther Wright and the Wrongs- Rebuilding the Wall pt. 1 (Universal) What started as a lark has emerged as a respectable (almost) bluegrass recording. By taking the music from Pink Floyd’s classic concept album The Wall and rearranging it into a (almost) bluegrass format, this Ontario band has garnered a lot of attention, sold a passel of albums, and brought OUR music to a whole new audience. Not for everyone but it gives hope to those of us just waiting for a bluegrass recording of Get The Knack. Warning: contains drums.