Earl Scruggs with Family and Friends

On November 18 Rounder Records released Earl Scruggs with Family & Friends: The Ultimate Collection, Live at the Ryman. Recorded live June 21, 2007 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN the album is an assembly of some incredible talent but Earl Scruggs, even at 83 still takes a backseat to no one. The lineup included Scruggs sons Randy and Gary as well as Rob Ickes, John Jorgenson, Jon Randall, Hoot Hester and John Gardner.

In all there's 18 tracks of great music included in this great release. The project also features liner notes from Jay Orr and Earl Stubbs. The evening and CD includes perennial favorites like "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," "Lonesome Ruben," "Ballad of Jed Clampett," "Soldier's Joy," "In the Pines," and "Earl's Breakdown."

This is a great addition to any record collection and is a great entry point for the musical works of Earl Scruggs.

New Kenny and Amanda Smith Band

The Kenny & Amanda Smith Band have a new CD out on Rebel Records. The album titled Live and Learn features 13 tracks including a misprint on track 2. Track 2 should be labeled "The Blues Down in Kentucky" penned by Gray Brewer. Also on the release is the Norman Blake tune "Randall Collins" as well as "I'd Jump The Mississippi" penned by George Jones and Johnny Mathis. Two original tracks are including in the release, "Words You Use" and "Icicle Canyon".

All in all this is a very solid bluegrass album from start to finish. Produced by Kenny and Amanda themselves and recorded in Charlotte, NC by Glenn Tabor. Zachary McLamb lends bass, Aaron Williams chops the mandolin, and guests Ron Stewart (fiddle and banjo) and Alan Bartram (harmony vocals) round out the sound.

Kenny & Amanda Smith Band