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 w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Mirroring US society, the 1960s were a time of big change in bluegrass. On the Gem of Bluegrass, guests Lyle Lofgren and Adam Granger report on how...

Bought by KSJD, WRGY, KKRN, WOUB, Sun Radio - KDRP Radio and more


  • Added: Jul 22, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 11
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Our show opens with a new recording by Robert Hale. Then we play two songs that share a name, but little else: “Pardon Me.” The first version is a ...

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


  • Added: Jul 27, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 13
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zwirfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Just for fun, the show opens with a set of bluegrass novelty songs. When Lyle Lofgren and Adam Granger enter the scene, the focus shifts to the tra...

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


  • Added: Aug 03, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 13
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: karen Van norman
The show beings with the social class overflow from last week. Then the Gem of Bluegrass considers bluegrass attitude songs. Later, we talk to blue...

Bought by Bois Forte Tribal Community Radio, KSJD, WRGY, WOUB, Robin Hood Radio/ WHDD AM 1020/FM 91.9-WLHV FM 88.1 /WGHQ AM 920 and more


  • Added: Aug 30, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 13
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Recent songs with train motifs open up our broadcast. Then, the Gem of Bluegrass considers bluegrass songs that take place in caves, marginal place...

Bought by KSJD, WRGY, WOUB, Robin Hood Radio/ WHDD AM 1020/FM 91.9-WLHV FM 88.1 /WGHQ AM 920, KUCB and more


  • Added: Sep 02, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil with 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Country scenes and images have refreshing effects on people. Songs featuring those kinds of motifs open the show today. The Gem of Bluegrass descri...

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


  • Added: Sep 08, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 eitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
1st of 2 fund raising editions for Fall 2012

Bought by WNTI.ORG-Internet Radio from Centenary University


  • Added: Sep 11, 2012
  • Length: 40:04
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
second of 2 fund raising editions

  • Added: Sep 11, 2012
  • Length: 39:46
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
The show opens with a couple of recent tributes to bluegrass legends, Bill Monroe and Doc Watson. Then, the Gem of Bluegrass considers “what is pro...

Bought by KSJD, WRGY, WOUB, WNTI.ORG-Internet Radio from Centenary University, KRZA and more


  • Added: Sep 14, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 13
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
On today’s Gem of Bluegrass, we consider the popularity of bluegrass songs about eyes. Many of these songs are emotional of course, and that leads ...

Bought by KSJD, WRGY, WOUB, Robin Hood Radio/ WHDD AM 1020/FM 91.9-WLHV FM 88.1 /WGHQ AM 920, KRZA and more


  • Added: Sep 19, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 11
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Our program today begins with bluegrass reflecting a contemporary lifestyle: live in one place, work in another. The Gem of Bluegrass focuses on ho...

Bought by WEZU, WRGY, WOUB, Sun Radio - KDRP Radio, KUCB and more


  • Added: Oct 01, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 13
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Early on the show, we continue to demonstrate that the Bluegrass Review is your “Beatles in Bluegrass” leader. We also play some new bluegrass. The...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, KUCB, KRZA, WXXI Rochester and more


  • Added: Oct 05, 2012
  • Length: 59:03
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
The show begins with some songs reflecting on home towns. On our Gem of Bluegrass, we track the evolution of the song “Blue Railroad Train.” Later,...

Bought by KSJD, WRGY, WOUB, Robin Hood Radio/ WHDD AM 1020/FM 91.9-WLHV FM 88.1 /WGHQ AM 920, KUCB and more


  • Added: Oct 11, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 11
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
In North America, many people are fascinated with trucks and truck driving. We present two recent songs about truckin’. Our Gem of Bluegrass focuse...

Bought by KSJD, WRGY, WOUB, KRZA, WNTI.ORG-Internet Radio from Centenary University and more


  • Added: Oct 16, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 13
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Bluegrass owes a great debt to the blues and we prove it by playing bluegrass versions of blues songs. Our Gem of Bluegrass focuses on the success ...

Bought by WRGY, WOUB, KUCB, KRZA, WNTI.ORG-Internet Radio from Centenary University and more


  • Added: Oct 21, 2012
  • Length: 59:01
  • Purchases: 12
Piece image
Bluegrass is coal country. When you combine the economics and danger of the industry, plus the enormity of the mines and implements used to work th...

Bought by KSJD, WRGY, Sun Radio - KDRP Radio, WOUB, KUCB and more


  • Added: Oct 25, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 13
Piece image
Towards the opening of the show, we play some songs where lovers part ways, but not before we get a good dose of attitude from one of them. Later, ...

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


  • Added: Nov 03, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
ur show opens with a set of coal-related songs, as coal continues to be one of the most appealing topics for bluegrass songwriters. The Gem of Blue...

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


  • Added: Nov 10, 2012
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 13
Caption: Phil w/ 2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Bluegrass to Be Thankful For. It is a show of listener requests of especially meaningful bluegrass, and listeners tell us why the songs are meaning...

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


  • Added: Nov 14, 2012
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 13
Caption: Phil w/2012 Zeitfunk, Credit: Karen Van Norman
Our show today opens with current bluegrass. Then our gem of bluegrass feature focuses on Josh Graves, the player who made the resophonic guitar a ...

Bought by KSJD, WRGY, WVRU, WOUB, KPVL and more


  • Added: Dec 01, 2012
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 14