Earl Brothers Whiskey, Women & Death submitted 11/1/2007 Submitter JackJack Where Purchased CD Baby Overall Comments I heard the Earl Brothers for the first time on a local San Francisco Bay radio show. The thing that struck me about the music was that they sounded so close to the early original bluegrass traditionalists, but with their own edge. The Earl Brothers songs (all original, except foe "Cluck Old Hen") have a toughened spirit that spoke of hardened hearts and drinking from long necked bottles with the bartender in a quiet dive bar while strumming on an old Fender guitar, telling stories of their bad luck. They have often been referred to as a punk or goth bluegrass band most likely because of their raw and troubled lyrics. But don't let the punk or goth boiler plate make you think that they are just a bunch of young dirty haired, eye liner, and rapid nonsense. Instead imagine Bill Monroe with Ralph Stanley dressed all in black, singing songs about some of the tough days of their times. The Earl Brothers are the real thing when it comes to bluegrass with unique melodic harmonies, slow pickin' banjo, heavy bass strum-flat pickin' guitar, frilling mandolin, and the tight upright bass. If you like straight talking songs and right to the point about the lost love and tough luck then this is a must have. Check out samples of their music here. http://www.earlbrothers.com/ Overall Rating 10

Earl Brothers Troubles to Blame submitted 11/1/2007 Submitter JackJack Where Purchased CD Baby Overall Comments This is the second studio album from the Earl Brothers, just as good as the first—Whiskey Women, and Death. I heard the Earl Brothers for the first time on a local San Francisco Bay radio show. The thing that struck me about the music was that they sounded so close to the early original bluegrass traditionalists, but with their own edge. The Earl Brothers songs on Trouble to Blame are all original and have a toughened spirit that spoke of hardened hearts and drinking from long necked bottles with the bartender in a quiet dive bar while strumming on an old Fender guitar, telling stories of their bad luck with women. They have often been referred to as a punk or goth bluegrass band most likely because of their raw and troubled lyrics. But don't let the punk or goth boiler plate make you think that they are just a bunch of young dirty haired, eye liner, and rapid nonsense. Instead imagine Bill Monroe with Ralph Stanley dressed all in black, singing songs about some of the tough days of their times. The Earl Brothers are the real thing when it comes to bluegrass with unique melodic harmonies, slow pickin' banjo, heavy bass strum-flat pickin' guitar, frilling mandolin, and the tight upright bass. If you like straight talking songs and right to the point about the lost love and tough luck then this is a must have. Check out samples of their music here. http://www.earlbrothers.com/ Overall Rating 10

Jackstraw Live at the White Eagle submitted 11/1/2007 Submitter JackJack Where Purchased CD Baby Overall Comments This Portland Oregon bluegrass band has the finest musicians and songwriting expertise that I have ever heard. This album, as the title suggests is recorded live and has equal amount of original songs to traditional instrumentals. The sound quality is excellent as well as the utterly amazing competence in musicianship amongst the band as a whole, but without the sappy better than thou attitude. These guys are down to earth and real, you can hear it in all their recordings. With almost 10 years together, Jackstraw should be nominated into the IBMA as one of the the best bluegrass bands of today IMHO. There is nothing that they cannot accomplish with their skill and a sense of ease in their music. They consists of four members—guitar, bass, mandolin, and lead guitar (sorry, no banjos) each sharing vocals. If you like tasteful, blazing guitar and mandolin breaks, then this is a must buy. For music samples, check Jackstraw out here. http://www.jackstraw.net/ Overall Rating 10