BOBDICK traveledbluegrasstracks intothe newterritories of kitchens,and encounter lovers and pioneers and LIFE'S HIGHWAY greatoriginal material and inventive arrangements hobos. (Notably, the group credits the of classics. autobiographical"true songs" of BillMonroe as an ApplelandRecords The opener,"These Old Blues,"will surely inspirationfor their originals.)By contrast,the 2014 please its composerLarry Sparks (one of the closingnumber is a coverof a pop hit,but it's an band'sheroes), and starting with an evergreenis absolutewinner-a wonderful,inventive, and a niceidea. But once the group has established its soaringbluegrass arrangementof the Steve Miller bluegrassbona fides, it reallygets into the money BandCalifornia-rock classic "Fly Like An Eagle." and scales new heightswith its originals."Big Thereare a few roughedges, but these don't Time"is a wry romanticsong boostedby some detract from the band's self-describedneo- lively instrumental breaks in a thoughtful traditionalsound, by turns gritty or smooth, arrangement."The Old HighWay" shows thatthe gentleor rousing.Everyone in the band sings and Cascade-SiskiyouMountains of southernOregon they sing well. BandmembersPhil Johnson can produce music just as lonesomeas the (mandolin),Stuart Green (banjo), Mark Lackey easternAppalachians. The titlenumber "Tied To (resonatorguitar), Darren Campbell (guitar) and The Tracks" has echoes of classic Stanley PeterKoelsch (bass) successfully play off each Brothersor CharlieMonroe. other'spicking in a trueensemble sound. Vince Thisnew projectfrom a talentedNew England There'sso much consistentlygood material Herman of the jam band Leftover Salmon musicianis a retrospectionof hisextensive music here by the members-featuringfine lyricsand produced the album. The project's good career. The project contains selectionsfrom melodies,engaging characters, and compelling recordingvalues, attractive package design, and some of the groupsand individualshe's played situations-that it's hard to singleout the best overallfresh concept put Eight Dollar Mountain and recordedwith overthe years, including Front ones. Just get ready to travel on highwaysor on the right track indeed. Range,the Seldom Scene, Tom Gray, Roger railroads, enter penitentiarywalls or family (www.eightdollarmountain.net)RDS Williams,his brother Dave, friend Rick Lang, and hisown band, SloGrass. Other musicians include Dan Nowlan, Ken Taylor, Chuck and Mud Demers,Walter Crockett, Mark Manuel, and Joe Holovnia. AMY GALLATIN& STILLWATERS primarilya bass player, but he is Bob is EVERYTHINGI WANTED LOVE TO BE bass,has been an importantplayerfor Joe Val guitar, equally skilled on mandolin,resonator and the New EnglandBoys, Hazel Dickens, of guitar,and fiddle.Selections include a couple JackTottle, and Onin Starr, and also appears Your originalsfrom Bob. "WithYour Eyes And withcurrent editions of BostonCity Limits and "Appleland Smile"was writtenfor his wife, and theCharles River Boys. And J.D. Williams on Breakdown"is an instrumentalfeaturing Bob on mandolin,lead guitar,and vocals has an mandolin,guitar, fiddle, and bass,with brother inventivestyle that neverthelessconsistently resonator Daveon banjoand RogerWilliams on fitsthe material.Not surprisingly, the younger guitar."Rose Among The Thorns"was writtenby Williamshas not only learned at his father "MyLord hisfriend and songwriter Rick Lang and Roger'sknee, but also studied music seriously From WillComfort Me" was co-writtenwith Lang" atthe Berklee College Of Musicin Bostonand "Rebels the SeldomScene repertoire comes Ye in other programs.(Fittingly, the album is Rest," and Scene members help out on dedicatedto NewEngland bluegrass pioneers "Thursday." Bobteams up with bassist Tom Gray Mac and Hazel McGee of White Mountain "Silence on Gray's"Walking The Blues"and Or Bluegrass). performs with "Over Tears."Bob a bass medley The band has also recruitedsome well- "RagtimeAnnie"" There is also TheWaterfall" and HappyAppy RecordsHAR-9 fitting guests, with fiddling by Ray Legere, a hauntingversion of RichardMarx's mystery three-fingerbanjo picking by Dave Dick,and "Hazard," cut"Life's Highway" is tale andthe title Put plainly,Amy Gallatinis a fine and clawhammerplaying by HowieBursen. The for a lookat the life of a talented a fittingtheme appealingvocalist, with a warmth, incisive- vocals and instrumentals are crisp and musician.(Appleland Records, and working ness,and sincerityto engaginglydeliver a complimentary, and there's no lack of MA 01590, P.O. Box 366, Sutton, range of songs. You might hear echoes of outstandingmaterial. Such classicsas "l music.co m. BF wwlv.appleland ) singersas greatand as variedas Emmylou DreamedOf An OldLove Affair," "A PathwayOf Harrisor HazelDickens, but all the while you'll Teardrops,"and "l HeardThe BluebirdsSing" savorGallatin's distinctive personal style. On aregiven fresh, enjoyable treatments. But the EIGHTDOLLAR MOUNTAIN her latestalbum , EverythingI WantedLove To real revelationscome in the work of talented TIEDTOTHETRACKS Be, Gallatinand the smoothlysupportive songwritersElly Beurskens,John Cadley, Stillwaters band can be declarative or AshleighCaudill, Rick Lang,Ryan Roberts, No Label yearning,playful or plaintive,depending on the and James DarrellScott. In the opening EDMOO3 song,with a classiccountry flavorthat adds to number "They Said," seeminglyobvious Ercsr 0olrlR MouNTAtil their basicbluegrass sound. lt can only be judgmentsabout neighborsare revealedas hopedthat this noteworthynew CD will bring very wrong in very surprisingways. The title them an evenwider listenership. They surely track,"Everything I WantedLove To Be,"may deserveit. giveyou wings while "The Only Thing Missing" A nativeof music-strongMuscle Shoals, (featuringa forlornyet elegantlyunderstated Ala.,who's also spent time living in ldahoand leadvocal by RogerWilliams) and "Moon Over Montana and successfullytouring Europe, The Water" will absolutely tug at your Gallatinis joined here by stalwartsof the New heartstrings. Amy and her collaborators Englandbluegrass scene. Roger Williams, clearly have keen ears for exceptionalnew who has performedwith the likesof the Lilly songs, performing each with pleasing Brothers& DonStover, Bill Harrell,and Delia creativityand praiseworthysincerity. No Bell& BillGrant, shines on resonatorguitar wonder there's so much to enjoy in this Mountain'sthird CD mightbe EightDollar and harmonyvocals. (His duets with Gallatin delightfulalbum. Give yourself the pleasure Tied To The Tracks,but nothingin termsof called are especiallygood, fulfilling the promiseof of hearingit if you haven't already.(Amy musicianshipis helddown or back. enthusiasmor their popular 2007 collaboralion Something Gallatin,P.O. Box 313, Glastonbury,CT This Oregon-basedband is a talented outfit 'BoutYou.) EricLevenson, solid as alwayson 06033,vwvw. amygallatin. com. )RDS especiallysuccessfully in rolling off the well-

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