CD Review: New Roots Music From Left Coast Country, Jonathan Warren & The Billy Goats And Town Mountain

From Portland, OR comes the latest release from the bluegrass/country band Left Coast Country titled "Pines Fly By." This new ten-song album begins with the quick-pace of "Ain't Found A Home" that will put an extra swing in your step. They add a classic country appeal to "Burnin' Old Pictures Of You" as the lyrics will have you singing along in no time. The band pours their emotions into "Mason Dixon Waltz" and also into the title song "Pines Fly By" as their country/folk style shines bright on these two tracks. They bring back the energy with the swiftness of "Trouble," before closing with the amazing instrumental "Sweetgrass" and the acoustic strumming sing-along of "On My Way." To find out more about Left Coast Country and their latest release "Pines Fly By," please visit leftcoastcountry.com.

From Boise, ID comes the latest release from folk singer/songwriter Jonathan Warren & The Billy Goats' titled "Bless My Soul." It features eight-songs of progressive folk rock, beginning with the sly, rockabilly swing of "Quite Like You Lady." They quicken the pace with the bluegrass feel of "Concrete" and settle into the New Orleans jazz backdrop of "Bless My Soul," before picking the tempo back up with the southern rocker "Cold Sweat." The album closes with the campfire sing-along "Maleena" and the six-minute folk storytelling of "Down The Lion." To find out more about Jonathan Warren & The Billy Goats and their latest release "Bless My Soul," please visit jonathanwarrenmusic.com.

From North Carolina comes the latest release titled "Southern Crescent" from the country/bluegrass band Town Mountain. It will be released on April 1st through LoHi Records, a brand new label formed in partnership with Railroad Earth's Tim Carbone and Hard Working Americans' Todd Snider and Chad Staehly. The new album features a dozen up-tempo, knee-slappin', hand-clapping tunes that will put you in a jolly mood. Beginning with the short 60-second instrumental "St. Augustine," Town Mountain let you know that this is not an album to sit down and enjoy, but invites you to get up and move along to. The live setting for this recording definitely helps you enjoy the rawness and inviting feel to "Ain't Gonna Worry" and "Southern Crescent" as if you were in the same room with these musicians. They pour their emotions into the slower-pace of "House With No Windows," before picking the tempo back up for the quick strumming of "Long Time Coming." The album finishes up with the wonderful bluegrass instrumental "Leroy's Reel" and then band comes together for the "last call" of "Whiskey With Tears." To find more about Town Mountain and their latest release "Southern Crescent," please visit townmountain.net.