At the Old Schoolhouse
Artist: The Johnson Mountain Boys

At the Old Schoolhouse was recorded on the Johnson Mountain Boys' intended "farewell tour" of the late '80s. The group later decided to stick together, perhaps because they knew they were giving performances as good as this. Throughout At the Old Schoolhouse, the group gives lively, invigorating performances that prove traditional bluegrass... Read More

Family
Artist: Del McCoury

Del McCoury has one of those high tenor voices that seems to be enriched, rather than undermined, by age. Although you'd never mistake him for a youngster, he can still let the high notes fly with the confidence of a singer half his age. And in collaboration with his mandolin-playing son Ronnie, he has built a top-notch traditional bluegrass... Read More

Coming of Age
Artist: The Rarely Herd

As the title suggests, Coming of Age is a sign that the Rarely Herd have matured into one of contemporary bluegrass' finest acts. Returning to mostly secular material, the group welcomes guest banjoist Don Wayne Reno. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide Read More

Our Little Town
Artist: The Special Consensus

Our Little Town dabs the Special Consensus' traditional-style bluegrass with touches of folk, country, and jazz; the playing, as usual, is spotless. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide Read More

American Beauty
Artist: The Nashville Bluegrass Band

Always a delight, this band is one of the best in any genre. Pure and true to the music, they pull off such classics as the Flatt & Scruggs song "The Johnson Boys" and Ralph Stanley's "Holiday Pickin'" with finesse. They do a wonderful cover of Bob Dylan's "Livin' the Blues" and make the Gillian Welch-David Rawlings tune "Red Clay Halo" feel... Read More

Live! at Last
Artist: Dry Branch Fire Squad

It's worth pointing out that while many bluegrass bands become more modern and forward-looking as they continue along their career paths, experimenting with Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton songs or throwing in the odd pedal steel guitar, the Dry Branch Fire Squad has, if anything, drifted back in the other direction. There are several bluegrass... Read More

Lonesome & Then Some
Artist: James King

Traditional bluegrass vocalist James King's second set is as good as the first. Tenor singer Dudley Connell returns to supply great high harmony vocals. Highlights of this set include a strong, soulful version of West Virginia songwriter Hazel Dickens' A Few Old Memories, and Sharon Higgins' Crazy Heart. He's as likely to pick an old country... Read More

Sings & Plays Dobro
Artist: Gene Wooten
Community Score: 0.50
Flashback
Artist: J.D. Crowe & The New South

Flashback is a first-rate retrospective of banjo player J.D. Crowe. Originally released on the Rounder label in 1994, Flashback traces Crowe's formative years with the Osborne Brothers, Jimmy Martin and as leader of the New South. The album was embraced by bluegrass fans and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album upon release. Among... Read More

A Deeper Shade of Blue
Artist: Del McCoury

Del McCoury's love affair with the blues is never more explicit than on A Deeper Shade of Blue, a classic from the word go, where songs with the titles like "Cheek to Cheek with the Blues," "A Deeper Shade of Blue," and "The Bluest Man in Town" are the order of the day. Never a purist when it comes to songs, McCoury covers Kevin Welch's "True... Read More

Waitin' for the Hard Times to Go
Artist: The Nashville Bluegrass Band

Waitin' for the Hard Time to Go is an excellent collection from a stellar bluegrass band. Instead of choosing to follow either a traditional or progressive direction, the Nashville Bluegrass Band decide to alternate between the two approaches, which makes it a considerably richer and eclectic record than most contemporary bluegrass albums.... Read More

Hey, Y'All
Artist: The Special Consensus

This great album features Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas," "When the Walls Come Tumblin' Down," "I Can't Sit Down," and others. Some of the better bluegrass music around. ~ Chip Renner, All Music Guide Read More

On the Line
Artist: Shady Grove Band

A good, solid bluegrass album. ~ Chip Renner, All Music Guide Read More

The Boys Are Back in Town
Artist: The Nashville Bluegrass Band

Very well performed, highly recommended. These vocals are on the mark. Produced by Jerry Douglas. ~ Chip Renner, All Music Guide Read More

To Be His Child
Artist: The Nashville Bluegrass Band

To Be His Child is an affecting sampling of the Nashville Bluegrass Band's gospel material, featuring both their string work and several tracks that feature an a capella quartet. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide Read More

Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen
Artist: Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen

With a country and bluegrass music pedigree as long as your right arm, Tony and Larry Rice team up again with Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen for another musical go-round that finds them all at the top of their game. On the other hand, despite the formidable musical chops of all the players involved, this is not an album full of flashy soloing,... Read More