The Bluegrass Review

Series produced by Philip Nusbaum

Series image
Image by: Shutterstock 

Bluegrass music's authoritative radio home.

The Bluegrass Review is a weekly 1-hour show which presents bluegrass music in a lively and informative format. Produced in two segments approximately 30 minutes apiece, each complete show is programmed in thematic bursts. For example the sample show #321 includes songs about hard work, guitarists who emphasize the bass end of the guitar's range in their soloing, and an interview with nationally-recognized autoharp player, Karen Mueller. The program includes frequent interviews and produced segments on topics that parallel concerns and interests of Bluegrass musicians and fans.

(PRX Feature Series image from Shutterstock.)


Additional Files

133 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Piece image
The program begins with new bluegrass, then presents a contrast of songs: Jim Reams’ song about not being able to settle down and Flat and Scruggs’...

Bought by WAMU


  • Added: May 17, 2013
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Phil w/20112 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van norman
Our show opens with new bluegrass. We muse that few songs are focused on individuals set in one place. But we found a few. And what is the place? “...

Bought by KDRP Community Radio, KPVL, KUCB, WNTI-FM, WXXI and more


  • Added: May 12, 2013
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 9
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Ralph Stanley is a bluegrass icon. To honor him, Don Rigsby put out a tribute CD. We play a selection from the CD, and then play selections from pr...

Bought by WOUB, KKRN, KUCB, KRZA, KDRP Community Radio and more


  • Added: May 02, 2013
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Today, recorded musical textures are getting denser and denser. Why? Because we can make them that way, I guess. But turn back the clock and textur...

Bought by KDRP Community Radio and WXXI


  • Added: Apr 28, 2013
  • Length: 05:46
  • Purchases: 2
Piece image
Early on the show, listen to some funny bluegrass parodies. Then, on the Gem of Bluegrass, we consider old recordings before the “wall of sound” wa...

Bought by WOUB, WRGY, KKRN, KUCB, KRZA and more


  • Added: Apr 28, 2013
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 11
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
We open with new and recent bluegrass, including a modernistic piece featuring Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. Our Gem of Bluegrass feature tells a...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, KKRN, KDRP Community Radio, KUCB and more


  • Added: Apr 20, 2013
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Today’s program opens with new bluegrass. Then we introduce a running thread on today’s show: We’re declaring Spring. This sort of pronouncement ma...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, WTIP, KKRN, KRZA and more


  • Added: Apr 16, 2013
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 13
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
We open the show with a current ‘grass selection, and then proceed to play three bluegrass songs that use the name John Deere Tractors symbolically...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, KKRN, WTIP, KDRP Community Radio and more


  • Added: Apr 10, 2013
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
The program opens with recent blues-tinged bluegrass. Then the Gem of Bluegrass considers the somewhat romantic image of the hobo in older bluegras...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, WTIP, KKRN, KUCB and more


  • Added: Mar 28, 2013
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil at work, Credit: Karen Van Norman
The program opens up with recent bluegrass. Then the Gem of Bluegrass considers the ways children have been depicted over the years in bluegrass so...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, KKRN, WTIP, KUCB and more


  • Added: Mar 15, 2013
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 13
Piece image
Our program opens with new bluegrass. Many say that bluegrass is in a period of change, with a new generation taking over. There are conflicting ve...

Bought by WOUB, KKRN, WTIP, KPVL, KDRP Community Radio and more


  • Added: Mar 08, 2013
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
We break out of the gates with new bluegrass by Dale Ann Bradley, Tina Adair and the Sleepy Man Banjo Boys. Then, on our Gem of Bluegrass, we note ...

Bought by WRGY, WTIP, WOUB, KKRN, KUCB and more


  • Added: Mar 04, 2013
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 11
Caption: Phil at work, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Right at the show’s beginning, we play new bluegrass. Then we consider the Celtic / bluegrass connection. Accordionist Paddy O’Brien and singer Eri...

Bought by WRGY, KPVL, WOUB, KKRN, WTIP and more


  • Added: Feb 24, 2013
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 13
Caption: Phil w/1012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Nnorman
This show’s Gem of Bluegrass addresses how bluegrass music honors its own heritage. We play a couple of songs relating to old lovers. Later, we tal...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, KKRN, WTIP, KUCB and more


  • Added: Feb 18, 2013
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/2013 zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
first of 2 fund raising editions

Bought by WNTI-FM and WAMU


  • Added: Feb 12, 2013
  • Length: 40:16
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Bluegrass Lonesome has many dimensions. Among them are songs where lovers are separated forever by fate or acts of God. We open the show with a few...

Bought by WRGY, WTIP, KKRN, WOUB, KDRP Community Radio and more


  • Added: Feb 11, 2013
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/ 2013 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
In bluegrass, songs about relationship tend to focus on the exit point of the relationship. So, to buck the trend, we present positive relationship...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, KKRN, WTIP, KDRP Community Radio and more


  • Added: Feb 04, 2013
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 13
Piece image
Whatever goes around comes around you might say. One of the great things about bluegrass is how groups reference the history of bluegrass in their ...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, KKRN, WTIP, KDRP Community Radio and more


  • Added: Jan 26, 2013
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 11
Piece image
The banjo is a bluegrass iconic instrument. But what about two banjos? Well, that’ll double your pleasure! On the show today, we play some early 19...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, KKRN, KRZA, KDRP Community Radio and more


  • Added: Jan 19, 2013
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 12
Piece image
Towards the beginning, the show plays some philosophical songs. Then, the Gem fo Bluegrass presents the evolution of the song “Take the Hammer.” It...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, KKRN, KDRP Community Radio, KPVL and more


  • Added: Jan 15, 2013
  • Length: 58:01
  • Purchases: 10