Review

Review by Joe Ross
Janie Fricke has had success with various country styles, whether slower numbers, snappy hard-driving songs, or duet hits with the likes of Johnny Duncan, Charlie Rich, Merle Haggard and Moe Bandy. Like so many other country artists who have released bluegrass music projects, it only seems logical that she add that genre to her catalogue. She started her professional career as a Nashville backup vocalist in 1975. She sang on over 1,200 albums before producer Billy Sherrill launched her career as a solo artist.

Review by Joe Ross
North Carolinan brothers Josh (guitar) and Wayne (bass) have been singing and playing bluegrass for over forty years. They called themselves The Blue Ridge Mountain Boys in the early 1970s. From 1975 until they formed their own band about 1991, they worked with legendary banjo player Raymond Fairchild. During the late-1990s and 2000s, The Crowe Brothers released some stellar albums on the Copper Creek, King and Gusto labels.

September was the centennial of the Father of Bluegrass Music who was born 100 years ago this year. Many tribute albums were making the round and there was some great music to be shared. But, one album, stands alone. A not so ordinary tribute by an artist who lives on the edge of bluegrass -- the master mandolinist David "Dawg" Grisman. Dawg Plays Bog Mon - Happy Birthday Bill Monroe has the soul of bluegrass along with the high-lonesome sound and it is performed by some of the best in bluegrass music. This album probably should get 11 stars out of 10!