“Headwaters” by Jason Tyler Burton
Jason Tyler Burton Headwaters self-released 4 stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske Some wonderful albums could come from ‘anywhere’, and their universal appeal is one of the things that make them...
View Article“Side by Side” by Ralph Stanley & Ralph Stanley II
Ralph Stanley & Ralph Stanley II Side By Side Rebel Records 4½ stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske Eighty-seven years is a long time to live. To be recording at that age is highly unusual, but that...
View Article“Sing the Songs of Vern & Ray” by Laurie Lewis & Kathy Kallick
Laurie Lewis & Kathy Kallick Sing the Songs of Vern & Ray Spruce and Maple Music 5 stars (Out of 5) By Donald Teplyske “Now come, let’s gather round me, here’s what I’ve got to say, About this...
View Article“Blue Smoke” by Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton Blue Smoke Sony Masterworks 2 stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske Dolly Parton has been making country music for well over fifty years, some of it wonderfully timeless. In this category, I...
View ArticleLRR’s picks for the 2014 International Bluegrass Music Awards
The 25th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards show is Thursday, Oct. 2 in Raleigh. Here are Aaron, Donald, and Larry’s picks from the final ballot IBMA voters were presented with. (Aaron is an...
View Article“Live at the Isis” by Town Mountain
Town Mountain Live at the Isis self-released 3 stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske Asheville, North Carolina’s Town Mountain hasn’t released an album since Leave the Bottle broke through in 2012. That...
View Article“Curve and Shake” by Walter Salas-Humara
Walter Salas-Humara Curve and Shake Sonic Pyramid 4 stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske I came to the Silos late. The first new album of theirs I heard was likely When the Telephone Rings a decade ago,...
View Article“White Wave Chapel” by I Draw Slow
I Draw Slow White Wave Chapel Pinecastle Records 4 Stars (Out of 5) By Donald Teplyske Dublin, Ireland five-piece I Draw Slow presents an attractive and compelling blend of modern acoustic bluegrass...
View Article“I Can’t Wait” by Fayssoux
Fayssoux I Can’t Wait Red Beet Records 4½ Stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske Rather than complain about the lack of ‘country’ within current country music offerings, how about we do some work and go...
View Article“Follow the Music” by Alice Gerrard
Alice Gerrard Follow the Music Tompkins Square Records 4½ stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske Follow the Music is a worthy follow-up to Bittersweet, the album that again brought Alice Gerrard to the...
View Article“Fiddle Tune X” by Billy Strange & Don Julin
Billy Strings & Don Julin Fiddle Tune X No label 3½ stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske Michigan acoustic duo Billy (Apostol) Strings and Don Julin have released their second recording, a live...
View Article“The Way I’m Livin'” by Lee Ann Womack
Lee Ann Womack The Way I’m Livin’ Sugar Hill Records 4½ stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske Lee Ann Womack had an extended reign as one of the most prominent country music entertainers of the late ’90s...
View Article“Tried and True” by Annie Lou
Annie Lou Tried and True No label 4 stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske Annie Lou’s Grandma’s Rules for Drinking was absolutely magical, a delightful blend of ‘big-tent’ music that brought together...
View Article“Songs from My Mother’s Hand” by Mac Wiseman
Mac Wiseman Songs from My Mother’s Hand Wrinkled Records 4½ stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske For those born after 1960, Mac Wiseman is little more than a name occasionally encountered when reading...
View Article“Run for Your Life” by the Show Ponies
The Show Ponies Run For Your Life Self-released 4 stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske Run For Your Life is the first EP from Los Angeles acoustiblue band the Show Ponies. Having recorded a pair of...
View Article“Man of Constant Sorrow” by Ralph Stanley & Friends
Ralph Stanley & Friends Man of Constant Sorrow Cracker Barrel 4 stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske I’m not sure how many Ralph Stanley/Stanley Brothers albums have been named Man of Constant...
View Article“Brotherhood” by the Gibson Brothers
The Gibson Brothers Brotherhood Rounder Records 4½ stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske The Gibson Brothers enter 2015 as one of the biggest bands in bluegrass. Brotherhood is their twelfth album, and...
View Article“In Session” by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver In Session Mountain Home Music 4 stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske I realize it may not be a popular opinion, and it may even get me into trouble, but I’ve always...
View Article“The Goldmine” by Kelsey Waldon
Kelsey Waldon The Goldmine Self-released 4½ stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske Remember the first time you heard Sturgill Simpson? Zoe Muth? Kasey Chambers? Recall that flush of excitement on hearing...
View Article“Devil in the Seat” by the Foghorn Stringband
The Foghorn Stringband Devil in the Seat Self-released 4 stars (out of 5) By Donald Teplyske More than a decade ago, several youthful, old-time stringband-influenced outfits started to garner...
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