By Ken Paulson –The New Christy Minstrels, a highly commercial folk ensemble formed in 1962, is perhaps best known today for the musical achievements of alumni, including Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes and Gene Clark. Former band members went on to play in the Byrds, the Association and the First Edition, a measure of the rich recruiting done by founder Randy…
Tag: folk music
Review: Bill Monroe 100th Year Celebration: Live At Bean Blossom
By Joe Ross – A CD sampler of live cuts from a bluegrass festival can rarely capture the real feeling and spirit of those special musical moments when bands play their hearts out to thousands of fans. However, second best to actually being there, some favorite LPs of mine were those double-disc sets with an array of professional bluegrass bands…
Review: Blackberry Winter’s “In These Ozark Hills”
By Joe Ross With four traditional tunes, five originals, and eight covers, the Missouri-based string band Blackberry Winter has produced a pleasant album chock full of downhome flavor and personality. These self-professed “old hillbillies” have long resumes with folk, big band, swing, rockabilly and even funk music. Common interests in music, friendship and camaraderie bring the players together from many…