The Bluegrass Review

Series produced by Philip Nusbaum

Series image
Image by: Shutterstock 

Bluegrass music's authoritative radio home.

The Bluegrass Review is a weekly 1-hour show which presents bluegrass music in a lively and informative format. Produced in two segments approximately 30 minutes apiece, each complete show is programmed in thematic bursts. For example the sample show #321 includes songs about hard work, guitarists who emphasize the bass end of the guitar's range in their soloing, and an interview with nationally-recognized autoharp player, Karen Mueller. The program includes frequent interviews and produced segments on topics that parallel concerns and interests of Bluegrass musicians and fans.

(PRX Feature Series image from Shutterstock.)


Additional Files

361 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: Phil with Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
We open the show with new selections. Then, the Gem of Bluegrass focuses on Tom Dooley, an American ballad that was given new life by a pop recordi...

Bought by KKRN, Sun Radio - KDRP Radio, Robin Hood Radio/ WHDD AM 1020/FM 91.9-WLHV FM 88.1 /WGHQ AM 920, KUCB, KRZA and more


  • Added: Mar 27, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 9
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
After a contemporary bluegrass IIIrd Tyme Out selection, we turn to recent bluegrass treatments of country songs. Then, our Gem of Bluegrass focuse...

Bought by KKRN, Sun Radio - KDRP Radio, KRZA, KUCB, WNTI.ORG-Internet Radio from Centenary University and more


  • Added: Mar 28, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 10
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Exciting new bluegrass opens this week’s broadcast. After that we investigate a major way bluegrass evolves: by recontexting music; you might say, ...

Bought by KKRN, Sun Radio - KDRP Radio, Robin Hood Radio/ WHDD AM 1020/FM 91.9-WLHV FM 88.1 /WGHQ AM 920, KRZA, KUCB and more


  • Added: Apr 06, 2012
  • Length: 59:02
  • Purchases: 9
Caption: Phil w. 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Our program begins with current wave bluegrass. Then on our Gem of Bluegrass, we wonder if the bluegrass paradigm is changing. It certainly could b...

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  • Added: Apr 11, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 9
Caption: Phil Nusbaum w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
You know how bluegrass fans comment on all the sad songs in bluegrass, particularly those with happy melodies. The show opens with sad songs, happy...

Bought by KKRN, Robin Hood Radio/ WHDD AM 1020/FM 91.9-WLHV FM 88.1 /WGHQ AM 920, KUCB, KRZA, WNTI.ORG-Internet Radio from Centenary University and more


  • Added: Apr 16, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 7
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Bluegrass depicts tragedy from the point of view of those affected, very well. A couple of flood songs open the show. Then a lengthy Gem of Bluegra...

Bought by Sun Radio - KDRP Radio, KKRN, KUCB, WNTI.ORG-Internet Radio from Centenary University, KRZA and more


  • Added: Apr 19, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 10
Piece image
Because we’ve got a lot of new bluegrass to play, we start out the show that way, and we include a couple of additional songs about coal. Our Gem o...

Bought by KKRN, KUCB, KRZA, Sun Radio - KDRP Radio, WNTI.ORG-Internet Radio from Centenary University and more


  • Added: Apr 30, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 8
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
We open with a couple of evocative songs whose impact comes from mentioning a series of related images. Then, on our Gem of Bluegrass, the focus is...

Bought by WRGY, KKRN, Sun Radio - KDRP Radio, KUCB, WNTI.ORG-Internet Radio from Centenary University and more


  • Added: Apr 30, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 10
Caption: Phil with 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
The show begins with a couple of songs using “dirt road” in the title. Similar phrase, but the songs are very different. Remember the song “Long Bl...

Bought by WRGY, KKRN, Sun Radio - KDRP Radio, KRZA, KUCB and more


  • Added: May 08, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 11
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Our show opens with songs where finance matters. Then our Gem of bluegrass surveys the forms bluegrass anthems take. Later a conversation with Lynn...

Bought by WRGY, KKRN, Sun Radio - KDRP Radio, KRZA, WNTI.ORG-Internet Radio from Centenary University and more


  • Added: May 15, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 10
Caption: Phil Nusbaum w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
This show has a couple of songs where poverty is woven into the lyrics to start out. Then, on the Gem of Bluegrass, we discuss the recorded Bill Mo...

Bought by WRGY, WNTI.ORG-Internet Radio from Centenary University, KKRN, Sun Radio - KDRP Radio, KUCB and more


  • Added: May 21, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 11
Caption: Phil with 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Nostalgia is big in bluegrass. The show opens with two nostalgia songs. In the first by the Bankesters, the singer expresses that she longs to be n...

Bought by WRGY, KKRN, Sun Radio - KDRP Radio, KRZA, KUCB and more


  • Added: May 25, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 10
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van norman
Out show opens with new and recent bluegrass. Then, on the Gem of Bluegrass we consider the evolution of the song “Footprints in the Snow.” It was ...

Bought by WRGY, KKRN, Sun Radio - KDRP Radio, KRZA, KUCB and more


  • Added: Jun 06, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 11
Caption: Phil with 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
At the beginning of the show, we play some powerfully uplifting numbers. Our Gem of Bluegrass compares the violin to the human voice. Later, we exp...

Bought by WRGY, KKRN, KRZA, KUCB, WAMU and more


  • Added: Jun 19, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 10
Caption: Phil with 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Losing: it’s an ever popular concern of bluegrass songs, and we begin our show with three outstanding examples of that type of song. Then Lyle Lofg...

Bought by KSJD, WRGY, KKRN, WOUB, KRZA and more


  • Added: Jun 23, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil with 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Swing: It’s a style bluegrass bands have approached over the years. We survey some bluegrass swing fusion. Then Lyle Lofgren and Adam Granger visit...

Bought by KSJD, WRGY, KKRN, KUCB, WOUB and more


  • Added: Jun 28, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 13
Caption: Phil with 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Today’s program opens up with some bluegrass songs about hard work, including two startling songs concerning gravediggers. Show host Phil Nusbaum g...

Bought by KSJD, WRGY, WOUB, KKRN, KUCB and more


  • Added: Jun 29, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 13
Caption: Phil w./2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
There seems to be no end of “nostalgia ‘grass, so we play a few more examples today. Then Lyle Lofgren, Adam Granger and host Phil Nusbaum tackle t...

Bought by WEZU, KSJD, WRGY, WOUB, KUCB and more


  • Added: Jul 13, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 14
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
program for MN stations July 21-27, 2012

  • Added: Jul 13, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
Piece image
The program begins with songs of personal disconnection between family members. The last of the set is actually a song of reunification by Dock Bog...

Bought by KSJD, WRGY, KUCB, WOUB, KKRN and more


  • Added: Jul 15, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 12