Posts by Jason Rooks

Sam Bush, along with his trademark mandolin style and champion fiddle playing, has inspired jamgrass acts like Yonder Mountain String Band and Leftover Salmon, to more mainstream bluegrass acts like Allison Krauss and the Union Station.  His latest release, Circles Around Me, demonstrates the extraordinary musical talents of Sam Bush and his touring band returning full circle to his bluegrass roots.

Virtuosic musicianship and a conglomeration of vocal talents make Steffey's latest effort the most memorable bluegrass release of the year.

Comprised primarily of a three Austin singer-songwriter attack including Ed Jurdi, Gordy Quist, and Colin Brooks,  The Band of Heathens burst onto the music scene with their self titled debut album last year that garnered comparisons to The Band and The Black Crowes.  Their sophomore release, One Foot in the Ether, features the ingredients perfect for a great rock-n-roll record complete with boogie woogie piano, loud guitars, and irresistible melodies.

With the release of The Show, Yonder Mountain String Band will continue to grow their fan base with their fresh evolving sound that can be called rock music with bluegrass instruments.  

With the third installment in their archival release series, Widespread Panic has given their fans Christmas in June with what many consider one of, if not the best, performance of their career.  This multi-track recording has been professionally mastered and contains a three disc set recorded at Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama on April 2, 2006.  Huntsville 96 captures the band coming off their infamous “Sit-n-Ski Tour” through the Rockies which gave the boys time to relax, ski and play some tunes in an acoustic setting. 

San Francisco rock band, Tea Leaf Green is known for their incendiary, psychedelic rock shows and skillfully crafted songs.  Over the years, they have developed an alter ego band with the namesake, Coffee Bean Brown.  Coffee Bean Brown is known for playing impromptu shows that display their acoustic side while focusing more on singer/songwriter Trevor Garrod’s timeless songwriting skills.  These shows are special for the few Tea Leaf Green fans who attend and now they are offering one of their most intimate shows available with clear, crispy quality. 

With the release of Love Is a War, The Corduroy Road are out to showcase Carman and Solise’s incredible songwriting skills and smooth vocal harmonies.  With a toe tapping melody and mixes of some great work on banjo, guitar, and organ, the title track is reminiscent of Avett Brothers.

Dan Tyminski’s rise to fame came through years of touring as a vocalist and guitarist for bluegrass megastars, Alison Krauss and The Union Station.  Then, a few years back, he became a household name when he was thrust into the spotlight as the vocalist for the hit single, "Man of Constant Sorrow," from the hit movie, O Brother Where Art Thou?.  With his second solo release, Wheels, Dan Tyminski creates an ensemble of virtuoso pickers to compliment his strong tenor voice without ever getting in the way of the song.

With original songwriting and an innovative new bluegrass sound, Town Mountain has all the right ingredients to become the newest young bluegrass band sensation.

With their remarkable songwriting, dazzling instrumentation, and stunning vocal harmonies on Through the Window of a Train, Blue Highway continues to set themselves apart from the rest of the bluegrass world.      

With his sophomore release Across the Bridge, Drew Emmitt, the dynamic lead vocalist and mandolin player for Leftover Salmon, focused on a more traditional style of bluegrass than the “jamgrass” sound he helped pioneer. 

This first release from the Widespread Panic Archives only leaves two questions to ponder: What will come next from Widespread Panic Archives and when will it be released?   Until then this release will satisfy any Panic fan cravings.   

Instrumental numbers “Golden Ticket” and “Black Rock” display the accomplished fret work of guitarist Andy Falco and mandolinist Jesse Cobb showcasing why the Stringdusters are one the most talented bluegrass band in the country.

Railroad Earth’s fourth studio album, Amen Corner, blends their recipe of Americana with sprinkles of bluegrass and hints of country all over.  After listening to the album, it is hard to believe that Railroad Earth has only been together since 2001, despite the fact that the band is comprised of seasoned touring musicians. 

YMSB marks their ten year milestone with the fifth installment of their adored live album series, Mountain Tracks. Mountain Tracks Five is a double disc offering sprinkled with “pickin and grinning” Yonder style.

Endless Highway pays great respect to one of the greatest songwriting groups of all time, and serves as an even better introduction to those otherwise unfamiliar with The Band's legendary songbook.

Although it took yeard for this collaboration to finally happen, The Road to Escondido has paved the beginning of a solid musical partnership between Cale and Clapton, as they reach their "golden" years.

Both accompaniments encapsulate the ‘fledgling rock band sweating it out night after night’ motif, though this one leaves you with more than just potential. Rock ‘n’ Roll Band is a colorful chapter in what promises to be a grand career.

Honkytonk Homeslice is the acoustic trio consisting of String Cheese Incident

After two years of touring and writing, LaMontagne releases his follow-up effort, Till the Sun Turns Black. Unfortunately the album doesn