Sugar Hill
This is the second solo album for Hall, resonator guitarist (dobroist) for emerging “new” bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters. Recorded mostly live in the studio, it boasts eight instrumental and three vocal tracks, on which Hall sings lead. He plays a mahogany Meredith resonator, a 1929 National squareneck Style 2 Tricone, a Bear Creek Hawaiian and a koa Harper resonator.
Dirt Farmer/Vanguard
Four albums from 1977 to 1982 — that was the extent of Helm’s solo studio output until now. Twenty-five years is a long time, but in the former Band drummer’s case, it was worth the wait.
Slide on Rye
Hill’s 1999 self-titled debut was an electric affair, a solid blues-rock effort with two or three songs displaying a penchant for Middle Eastern-accented arrangements á la Led Zeppelin or Derek Trucks. For his sophomore outing, the award-winning Arkansas singer/songwriter/guitarist takes a folk-rock route, choosing largely acoustic arrangements.
Skybucket
These guys must’ve thought the Beach Boys were singing “Let’s go trippin’ now” instead of “Let’s go surfin’ now.” Fans of Brian Wilson’s spaced-out period will love this Birmingham group’s avant pop, recorded at their appropriately named Alamalibu Studios.
RootaVega
Mr. Banjo, meet Mr. Accordion. Mr. Accordion, meet Mr. Vibes. And of course, you all know Mr. Guitar, Mr. Bass and Mr. Drums.
