Uncut Grass

The Bibelhauser Brothers are back in a very impressive way. Adam and Aaron have picked ten classic country and bluegrass songs comprised of brother harmonies and laid them down in a soulful manner that it is a real feast to listen. Of course we are familiar with most of the songs as you can find Bill Monroe's 'What Would You Give', the Louvin Brothers' 'When I Stop Dreaming', or the great 'Do You Wonder' by Roy Acuff. Other tunes include 'Banks Of The Rio Grande' by the Delmore Brothers, 'Night Rider's Kament' by Michael Burton, and 'Let Me Rest' by Ralph Stanley.

All these songs have been treated so respectfully and with invigoration at the same time. Aaron and Adam are not only skillful singers, but also come together to form some impressive arrangements. Not only brothers, but also twins, their harmonies are as up close and personal as harmony vocals can be. Not to mention brilliant multi-instrumentalist Aaron who played guitar, dobro, banjo, pedal-steel and piano on this record. Brother Adam, also an adept picker at many instruments, played the bass and they had help from Michael Cleveland on mandolin and fiddle, Jeff Gurnsey playing fiddle, Steve Cooley on banjo and Jesse Hall on drums. 

This beautiful album has a great selection of songs recorded and performed by two amazing singers and musicians. Check out the opener 'Do You Wonder' or the closing track 'Let Me Rest' and you'll know what I mean. And everything else you wish for you'll find between these two songs.

Reviewed by:
Severin Theinert for
Uncut Grass
March 2023

Alongside the remarkable release of The Bibelhauser Brothers' album, 'Close Harmony', we now are gifted with Aaron Bibelhauser's latest "band" project, with the Kentucky super group, Wolfpen Branch. While 'Close Harmony' was a tribute to brother harmony and vocal band tradition, this album is a band project that arose from members of Kentucky's own 23 String Band, The Wooks and Relic. The band is made up of Arthur Hancock (guitar, vocals), Chris Shouse (mandolin, vocals), Aaron Bibelhauser (banjo, vocals), Roddy Puckett (bass, vocals) and Jeff Guernsey (fiddle). A tight bunch of highly motivated and skilled musicians have come together and produced an album like an alchemist and have succeeded in bringing forth pure gold. So, first of all: thank you for this record!

'Long Hill To Climb' is an eleven track album with that ranges from traditional songs over original tracks to cover songs by Tyler Childers and Tom Petty. This clearly shows not only the ambition, but also the skills and influences this band is deriving from.

The record starts off with a banjo lick by Aaron Bibelhauser to open with his original song 'Long Hill To Climb'. Being the title track it also lends itself to being the title track of the album with a fast bluegrass pace, hard-driving banjo, great melody and compelling harmonies. And of course, Bibelhauser's very own style of songwriting and singing: “So hard to tell what's on your mind – You call me yours, I'll call you mine – Just when we find ourselves, wrecking out of our shells – Loving so hard to find – But it's a long hill to climb.”

This incredible song is followed by Tyler Childers', 'Born Again', from his 2017 album Purgatory. A great song and this new band does him justice by giving him a bluegrass flair – stunning. Next is another original song. This time by mandolin player, Chris Shouse, of the 23 String Band. This song has a great steady rolling, kind of… swamp rock feeling. Take a listen for yourself and see what you think. Also included are originals by Arthur Hancock, founding member of The Wooks.

Last, but certainly not least, I would like to pick out 'Square One', written by Tom Petty for the 2005 soundtrack 'Elizabethtown', later to be released on Petty's album 'Highway Companion'. The guys really make this song their own while still finding a way to stay true to the original roots. The fiddle playing and outstanding harmony really work together to create an incredible dynamic. Let's put it this way: This record is great all the way up to the last track, the everlasting 'Darling Corey'. In a more modern and progressive arrangement it makes for the perfect ending to this inspiring bluegrass album with a southern rock attitude. I seriously hope that this outfit stays together for more records. Oh, and catch them live if you get the chance.

Reviewed by:
Severin Theinert for
Uncut Grass
March 2023

What we have here is the first release of the 2021 formed band, Retro 78, on the newly formed label, Ram Cat Records. Retro 78 is comprised of Clint Groves (lead & harmony vocals, lead guitar), Mike Street (harmony & lead vocals, bass), Kevin Street (harmony & lead vocals, guitar), Hunter Motts (banjo), Jacob Jackson (mandolin), and Jacob Turnbill (fiddle).

This five track EP, produced by Alan Bibey, shows the experience and joy of music making, which comes together to form this band. Skilled musicianship and powerhouse vocals add up to an impressive crew that won the 2022 SPBGMA Band Championship.

Five tracks that are all deeply embedded in the tradition of The Stanley Brothers and Flatt & Scruggs, with their own fresh and exciting delivery. The opener, 'Black Vinyl 45', is an homage to the beginnings of bluegrass music. Every instrument gets its space to shine in this steady rolling bluegrass gem. This is followed by, 'My Darling's Coming Home', written by lead singer Clint Groves. With a classic country feel, this song lives through the beautiful melody and the incredible vocal abilities of Groves. With track three, we get a beautiful, but slightly more modern, love song. Track four is, 'This Is The Girl I Love', a hard-driving mountain song by Jacob Landers, featuring the lead vocals of Mike Street. Then the – way too short – EP closes with, 'Man Who Never Plowed'. Kevin Street takes the lead on this one, showing us all the capabilities of this band once again.

This is a great record and it will be an exciting band to watch as they are capture the retrospective bluegrass sound of the 70's and 80's. Way to go guys!

Reviewed by:
Severin Theinert for
Uncut Grass
January 2023

Route 3 rushed in BIG TIME with their second album, and now on Pinecastle Records. Accompanied by high-class studio support from Rickey Wasson and Ron Stewart who have engineered, mixed and mastered the whole project. Ron Stewart also contributes his fiddle playing. All that being said, we can all expect a sophisticated bluegrass production and let me tell you… it does not disappoint.

Since the band's debut album in 2019, the band has made a remarkable development. More precisely, the two founding members Doug Clifton (bass, vocals) and Jason Jordan (guitar, lead vocals) have made a big step forward. Most notably, Jason Jordan with his singing and his songwriting. The whole album consists of eleven original tunes that elegantly roll through the whole bandwidth of bluegrass music. The album begins in an up-tempo cheerful manner with ‘Losing Time’. Quickly becoming one of my favorites with a steady banjo beat and a great melody and harmony vocals. Hard-driving ‘Cartersville’, the first single, has on-point vocals carried by the banjo and Ron Stewart's fiddle. Altogether, Gaylon Harper's banjo playing surely is the powerhouse of this outfit. Also of note is Roy Bond’s incredible mandolin playing. Just check out his breaks on the slow waltz, ‘Lay Down Beside Me’, or his mandolin intro on the more folky tune 'I'm Gonna Live’.

Let me put it this way: there is not one single mediocre tune on this album'. Every tune adds color to the big picture with careful production and clever arrangements both instrumentally and vocally. Right up until the closing track, ‘Take My Hand’. This fast pace track is like the band's closing statement where everyone can show their skills – solo as well as an ensemble.

I believe that Route 3 have built a strong foundation with this album using their own style and original songs. Their live shows get lots of recognition, too. I just hope they'll make it across the great pond one day. I'll watch out for them.

Reviewed by:
Severin Theinert for
Uncut Grass
March 2023