Philip Nusbaum , 00:00
Authoritative, Engaging, Upbeat
I'm a Bluegrass weakling and neophyte. Like many, I know Alison Krause, the "Oh Brother..." soundtrack and a few standards, but that's about it. That either makes me unqualified or possibly well suited to come at Bluegrass music honestly and innocently.
I guess it's Bluegrass that I heard on the Bluegrass Review, but after hearing show #819, I had to do some Bluegrass rethinking and redefining. And I'm grateful for the opportunity to think again.
Maybe that's the program's (and the weekly series) only problem or obstacle -- undoing or getting beyond the sonic and visceral expectations associated with what we've come to believe defines the Bluegrass category and label. Not all bluegrass sounds exactly like, well....you know.
The music of "Bluegrass Review" might not be right for your music format - but I propose it might be a better fit for some formats than you, me and we might expect. It's fun, pretty, virtuosic -- the harmonies can turn your insides out, and the story lines resonate and translate to contemporary times.
Even though the show operates within a theme, there was plenty of contrast and superb musical flow.
And how many show hosts do you know who can create relevant breaks in 20 - 40 seconds - with more than the obligatory information, and plenty of natural personality and "hostiness"?
Meet Phil Nusbaum.
David Srebnik
, Listener Directed Productions, Inc.
Alexandria, VA
May 19, 2008
