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
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
There is a lot of swing-influenced bluegrass on today’s show. The Gem of Bluegrass focuses on the connection between the two idioms, and then we pl...

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


  • Added: Jan 15, 2013
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Early in the show, bluegrass nostalgia songs. But it’s always nostalgia for a lost world, or a lifestyle that has disappeared. Then, the Gem of Blu...

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


  • Added: Dec 29, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil at work, Credit: Karen Van Norman
In recent bluegrass, there’s been a little bump in the number of songs about war and songs in which war is a metaphor. We play a few as the show op...

Bought by WRGY, KKRN, WOUB, KPVL, WNTI-FM and more


  • Added: Dec 26, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 11
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk , Credit: Karen Van Norman
The show opens with songs about money. On the Gem of Bluegrass, we present some new thoughts about duet singing, and its crucial role in bluegrass....

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


  • Added: Dec 17, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
It was a great year for bluegrass music and we play the highlights on this program.

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


  • Added: Dec 07, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 11
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk award, Credit: Karen Van Norman
It’s Christmas Time on the Bluegrass Review. We play songs of the season, and mix in reminiscences by bluegrass performers.

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, KPVL, KUCB, WNTI-FM and more


  • Added: Dec 01, 2012
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Our show today opens with current bluegrass. Then our gem of bluegrass feature focuses on Josh Graves, the player who made the resophonic guitar a ...

Bought by WRGY, WVRU, WOUB, KPVL, KRZA and more


  • Added: Dec 01, 2012
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 13
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Bluegrass to Be Thankful For. It is a show of listener requests of especially meaningful bluegrass, and listeners tell us why the songs are meaning...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, KUCB, KRZA, WNTI-FM and more


  • Added: Nov 14, 2012
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
ur show opens with a set of coal-related songs, as coal continues to be one of the most appealing topics for bluegrass songwriters. The Gem of Blue...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, KPVL, KRZA, WNTI-FM and more


  • Added: Nov 10, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 12
Piece image
Towards the opening of the show, we play some songs where lovers part ways, but not before we get a good dose of attitude from one of them. Later, ...

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


  • Added: Nov 03, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 10
Piece image
Bluegrass is coal country. When you combine the economics and danger of the industry, plus the enormity of the mines and implements used to work th...

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


  • Added: Oct 25, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Bluegrass owes a great debt to the blues and we prove it by playing bluegrass versions of blues songs. Our Gem of Bluegrass focuses on the success ...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, KUCB, KRZA, WNTI-FM and more


  • Added: Oct 21, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
In North America, many people are fascinated with trucks and truck driving. We present two recent songs about truckin’. Our Gem of Bluegrass focuse...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, KRZA, WNTI-FM, KUCB and more


  • Added: Oct 16, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
The show begins with some songs reflecting on home towns. On our Gem of Bluegrass, we track the evolution of the song “Blue Railroad Train.” Later,...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, Robin Hood Radio/ WHDD AM/FM-WLHV FM, KUCB, KRZA and more


  • Added: Oct 11, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 10
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Early on the show, we continue to demonstrate that the Bluegrass Review is your “Beatles in Bluegrass” leader. We also play some new bluegrass. The...

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


  • Added: Oct 05, 2012
  • Length: 59:03
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Our program today begins with bluegrass reflecting a contemporary lifestyle: live in one place, work in another. The Gem of Bluegrass focuses on ho...

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


  • Added: Oct 01, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
On today’s Gem of Bluegrass, we consider the popularity of bluegrass songs about eyes. Many of these songs are emotional of course, and that leads ...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, Robin Hood Radio/ WHDD AM/FM-WLHV FM, KRZA, WXXI and more


  • Added: Sep 19, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 10
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
The show opens with a couple of recent tributes to bluegrass legends, Bill Monroe and Doc Watson. Then, the Gem of Bluegrass considers “what is pro...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, WNTI-FM, KRZA, KUCB and more


  • Added: Sep 14, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
second of 2 fund raising editions

  • Added: Sep 11, 2012
  • Length: 39:46
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 eitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
1st of 2 fund raising editions for Fall 2012

Bought by WNTI-FM


  • Added: Sep 11, 2012
  • Length: 40:04
  • Purchases: 1