Dan Tyminski - Wheels (Rounder)
The film that launched Bluegrass music to a wider world was O Brother, Where Art Thou? Two wonderful voices captured our hearts, Alison Krauss, of course, and her Union Station sidesman, thirteen-time Grammy winner Dan Tyminski. It was Tyminski's vocals on the "Soggy Bottom Boys"' I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (not George Clooney who lipsynched it for the soundtrack) which is now legend. This is Tyminski's first album for Rounder and although there isn't the dynamite of I Am A Man Of ... , take pleasure in the outstanding playing of Tyminski the master, his band (Adam Steffey-Mandolin, Ron Stewart-Banjo, Justin Moses-Fiddle, Barry Bales-Bass) and an album of perfect Bluegrass Americana. Vince Gill, Ron Block, and Cheryl and Sharon White guest.

Sierra Hull - Secrets (Rounder)
Sweet-voiced, mandolin-picking prodigy Sierra may be only 16 years old however her debut CD for Rounder is a bluegrass stormer of versatility and Alison Krauss-like charm and talent. Co-produced by Krauss and Ron Block this is no speedy "sign and release" album. Word has it that Rounder signed her at 13 years of age but allowed her to grow musically at her own speed. And it's this Tennesee girl's dream band - session musicians include Nashville heroes Jerry Douglas on Dobro, flat-picker Tony Rice, Dan Tyminski and the afore mentioned Block on banjo and guitar - but nowhere do they diminish her musical gifts which shines throughout. Listen for another prodigy in the band, 17-year old banjo player Cory Walker.

The Grascals - Keep On Walking (Rounder)
Here are both traditional and contemporary Bluegrass songs - with fine vocal harmonies from Grascals's Terry Eldredge, Jamie Johnson and Terry Smith. Mandolin fiddle and banjo driving numbers like the well-known traditional Rolling in My Sweet Baby's Arms and the slow-tempo, Merle Haggard tear-jerker Today I Started Loving You Again, sit happily with new material. Tight musicianship from Aaron McDaris on banjo, Danny Roberts on mandolin and (for those who collect such snippets of information) there's a guest appearance credit for the legendary keyboard session man "Pig" Robbins - immortalised but never seen in Robert Altman's film "Nashville".