A number of CDs we have discussed recently on The Bluegrass Blog have hit this past few weeks.

The sophomore release from Grasstowne, The Other Side Of Towne, came out on October 6. As visible as these guys have been since they formed in December of 2006, it seems a bit odd that this is only their second CD. Perhaps that is because these guys had all been involved in top-tier bluegrass bands for so many years beforehand.

Grasstowne features Alan Bibey on mandolin, Steve Gulley on guitar, Phil Leadbetter on resonator guitar, Jason Davis on banjo and Dale Perry on bass. All contribute vocally, with Gulley and Bibey doing the lead singing.

You can hear several audio samples (and read some comments from Alan Bibey) in our August preview, and samples from all 14 tracks can be found on the Grasstowne site and in iTunes.

Larry Sparks’ I Just Want To Thank You Lord was released on October 20, the official debut of Rural Rhythm Christian, a new division of the popular California-based label. Though previously released in 2001 to very limited distribution, the tracks have been remastered and this music will be new to the great majority of Sparks fans far and wide.

This music is classic Sparks – unpretentious, unadorned and, frankly, unequaled. Larry’s singing and guitar are in fine form with stellar contributions from Josh McMurray on banjo, Scott Napier on mandolin and Matthew Madden on bass. The sparse arrangements perfectly suit the gravity of the material, and I would rank I Just Want To Thank You Lord with the very best work of his long and remarkable career.

Here’s a taste of the title track, a Sparks original composition.

I Just Want To Thank You Lord – Listen Now    

What a gem. The full track also includes a poignant recitation.

Look for I Just Want To Thank You Lord wherever you purchase CDs online. The digital release will be on November 17.

Del McCoury may be slowing down his tour schedule, but not his recorded output. After releasing a 4 CD set of newly-recorded music earlier this year (Celebrating 50 Years of Del McCoury), Del is back with another new album, Family Circle (October 20), featuring his crack band.

McCoury has developed a trademark sound recording music from outside of bluegrass – often way outside – but performing it with the approach and sensibility of a traditional bluegrass band. Unsurprisingly, this new project follows that recipe to a “T,” and the result is yet another thoroughly enjoyable visit with Del and the boys.

Powerful and artful accompaniment is provided by Ronnie McCoury on mandolin, Rob McCoury on banjo, Jason Carter on fiddle and Alan Bartram on bass.

You can hear full audio from all 14 tracks in our earlier preview, and samples in iTunes.

This is the fourth in our series of 2009 Red Carpet videos. These were filmed immediately prior to the IBMA Award Show.

This one features Katy Daley interviewing Phil Leadbetter of Grasstowne.

We just heard from Alan Bibey that the new Grasstowne CD, The Other Side Of Town, is now available online.

This, their second recorded project for Pinecastle Records, won’t be officially released until October 6, but the band has pre-release copies for sale at their live shows, and on their web site.

Grasstowne was formed in December of 2006, and their debut album, The Road Headin’ Home, was recorded early in ‘07. On The Other Side Of Town, you can hear not only the greater maturity from the band having performed together for more than two years, but also the more careful selection of new material that comes with having plenty of time to consider possible songs for inclusion.

The band includes Steve Gulley on guitar and vocals, Alan Bibey on mandolin and vocals, Phil Leadbetter on resonator guitar, Jason Davis on banjo and Dale Perry on bass. Stuart Duncan guests on fiddle.

Audio samples from the new CD should be up soon on the Grasstowne site, but in the meantime, here are a few tracks that really jumped out at me, along with a few words from Alan.

Hard Workin’ Man -  “Wayne Winkle, with whom I played in BlueRidge a few years back, wrote this tune, and we knew it would be too much fun to play.  Wayne’s such a great songwriter, singer and player.”

Hard Workin’ Man – Listen Now:  

God Bless Mommy – “Wayne and Craig Market wrote this one together. Craig is another guy (just like Wayne) that just is just so talented in many areas. We appreciate these guys being such great friends, as well as agreeing to let us record a few of their songs. Every song they write is awesome.”

God Bless Mommy – Listen Now:  

(more…)

We just heard from Alan Bibey, mandolinist with Grasstowne, with an update on their sophomore CD.

Alan tells us that the new album, The Other Side Of Towne, will be released October 6 on Pinecastle Records.

There are 14 tracks, with new compositions from Ronnie Bowman, Shawn Lane, Steve Gulley, Craig Market, Wayne Winkle, Tim Stafford and Alan Bibey. We hope to have some audio samples soon.

The band should have CDs for sale at their shows later this month, if you want to grab an advance copy.