Obviously this could be a much longer list! Here are a few of my top picks….


The Creaking Tree String Quartet - Self titled and Side Two-We were directed to the Cadillac Lounge in Toronto to check out this band. It was a jaw dropping experience to say the least. Without question one of my favorite instrumental bands. Staggering musicianship. I was a bit concerned that they couldn't top the first disc and I would be a bit disappointed with the second. No problem!

Bela Fleck - The Bluegrass Sessions-Warner Bros - Acoustic instrumental brilliance. You can pick up anything with any of these guys on it and you will not be disappointed, I guarantee it.

Tone Poems Series - Acoustic Disc - A must have set on a label owned by mandolinist David Grisman. The series combines master players with vintage instruments with full booklets and photos. The resonator cd (#3) has Mike Auldridge and Bob Brozman and there is no sweeter cd for a slide player. Tone Poems #2 is guitars and mandolins with David Grisman and Tony Rice. Hell, while you're at it pick up Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza as well!

The Great Dobro Sessions - Sugar Hill - This is an excellent compilation of all the great players representing a wide variety of Dobro styles. Get it!

Hawaiian Steel Guitar - Arhoolie - A compilation of wild slide guitar playing by the greats of the Hawaiian style. Not the least of which is Sol Hoopii who has technique and chops that leave you laughing and shaking your head.



Jorma Kakounen-Blue Country Heart-Columbia Classic blues tunes done as they should be, with grit and heart. With some of the Bluegrass Mafia as guests.

Mike Stevens and Raymond McLain-Old Time Mojo-Borealis A great album of classic tunes delivered by two incredible musicians. For those who don't know, Mike is a mind blowing harmonica player. He also established the Arts Can Circle. Check it out and support it! We did a Bluegrass workshop with Mike, Raymond and Crooked Stovepipe at the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival in 2003. Humbling…

John Hammond - "Live"-Rounder - A live tour de force of finger style blues, slide, and harmonica. I saw John a couple of times and it gets a bit scary actually! Between the locomotive rhythms, the slide licks, feet pounding, moaning vocals and wailing harp, the mind has trouble with the fact that it is only one man on stage.



Bob Wills- There are any number of greatest hits packages on the market. Get the biggest one. Leon McAuliffe wrote the original book on swing pedal steel and the harmony duets with Eldon Shamblin on guitar are worth the price alone.

Govt. Mule - The Deep End Vol. 1 - A killer electric rocking slide, funk, and blues album from Warren Hayes and company.


Some folks are strangely unaware of the incredible music scene in St. John's. A small sample of some of my favorites. Rock, Country, Swing, Blues, Bluegrass, Newgrass and Trad!...

Sean Panting - Lotus Land - Indescribable really! Other than blues or slide, one of the very few electric albums that gets into my cd player. Accordions, growling guitars, tons of attitude and killer lyrics.

Sherry Ryan - Bottom of a Heart - The other electric album. This album will grow on you and stick with you in about 3 spins max.

Duane Andrews - Self Titled debut and new album 'Crocus'. Multiple award winning Django inspired fusion of swing, traditional tunes and original compositions. With famed sidemen Dave Rowe (bass), Steve Hussey (guitar) and Pat Boyle (trumpet).

Denis Parker - Snowman Blues - A bit of conflict of interest here but a great blues album with great sidemen! I recommend it especially for anyone looking to learn blues guitar. Gaston Gagnon, who is a slide guitarist out of Montreal, produced this and Gaston is an absolutely brilliant and magical slide guy.

Peter Narvaez - Some Good Blues - Same conflict, same great album! If you like your blues straight up…you won't find it here! Boggling guitar and harp. It'll take a couple of spins to get past the shock and then you have another favorite blues album!

Crooked Stovepipe - Just in Case - Introduced at last years Bluegrass Festival as "Newfoundland's oldest living bluegrass band" these guys have kept bluegrass alive here on the rock for 30 years. This album won the ECMA for bluegrass recording of the year in 2006.

The Breadpicks. Tom Power (banjo), Daniel Banoub (guitar), Emelia Bartellas (fiddle), Steven Aylward (mandolin) and Rob Pittman (bass). Sadly, Bart Pierson has split to pursue more eclectic and electric interests for the time being. These are people to watch and not one over 20…you heard it here.

Frank Maher and the Mahers Bahers - Mahervelous! - Borealis - With his wit, humor and fiery melodeon playing, Frank is a St. John's legend. With his crack backup band The Mahers Bahers, Frank makes his debut recording at the age of 71. World tour next year…