A look back at Andy Leftwich’s “Ride”

I recently came across a CD that was released long before Bluegrass Journal was born and well before I started getting serious about writing albums reviews. It’s one of those things I don’t remember acquiring, and quite honestly, I don’t even remember listening to it. Too bad, it’s a real gem. I’m glad I rediscovered Andy Leftwich’s solo CD, Ride.

Parts of the album are like being at a bluegrass festival after midnight and stumbling onto the best jam session you could ever imagine.

At least, that’s what some of Ride is about. Other parts are like stepping back to the late 1890s or early 1900s into someone’s fancy parlor or a bistro to listen to some refined string music of the day. A few tidbits fall right into the 21st century groove….

Gold Heart is a real treasure for the bluegrass community. Don’t take my word for it; judge for yourself by giving the group’s latest CD, My Sisters and Me, a listen.

First of all, the album on the Rural Rhythm label is just darn good bluegrass. It also shows the promise that bluegrass…

Correction: Thanks to Adam Steffey for pointing out that Ronnie Bowman is responsible for the outstanding vocal on “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends.” We’ve updated the review to reflect that info.

It takes a talented vocalist to tackle the Ronnie Milsap classic, “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends,” written by the great Kris Kristofferson.

Remember that ballad of lost love? It’s the one where Milsap magically makes his falsetto voice appear out of nowhere on the track.

Well, Adam Steffey evidentally wasn’t intimidated by Milsap’s…

Josh Williams is a wonderful roots-type singer, with just the right amount of Southern-drawl honey dripping from his vocal efforts. To say he’s proficient in most of the bluegrass instruments is an understatement. He’s a super picker.

In fact, if you’re a ‘grasser, there’s not much to dislike about Josh Williams….

I’ve long held this theory that a chosen few males who are born in Kentucky are blessed with this rare gene that gives them these wonderful high-lonesome voices. The names Monroe, Skaggs and Osborne immediately come to mind. Or maybe it’s something mystical, like a strange compound in the spring water that sprouts from the Kentucky hills.

But Larry Stephenson makes me ponder expanding my theory….

Los Angeles, Ca., — The 1st Annual Los Angeles Bluegrass Situation music fest will kick off 5 nights of stellar bluegrass and their inaugural run Thursday, March 18, 2010 at Largo at the Coronet Theater.

Acts scheduled to perform include Sara and Sean Watkins, Steep Canyon Rangers, Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings, The Infamous Stringdusters and…

Wilkesboro, N.C. — MerleFest 2010, presented by Lowe’s, is proud to announce the additions of Dierks Bentley featuring The Travelin’ McCourys and Joey + Rory to the lineup for Friday night, April 30. The award-winning country chart-topper Bentley will perform with The Travelin’ McCourys on the Watson Stage…

Gettysburg, PA — The Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival is extraordinarily pleased to announce the addition of Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas to their already stellar May lineup. After a more than 10 year hiatus, the bluegrass super-group will return to the Gettysburg Main Stage….

Wilkesboro, N.C. — The deadline for Early Bird ticket prices to MerleFest 2010 has been extended to Tuesday, April 6, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. That is the last day to purchase 4-day and 3-day tickets at the Early Bird price, representing an average 10% discount.

Ticket purchases can be made on the web at Merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857….