Northern California Bluegrass Society provides this CD review. You can find our most current reviews on our Message Board, where you can comment or query the author directly. Our monthly magazine, Bluegrass By the Bay also publishes them.

Songs:
Friend for Life
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Cluck Old Hen
Frere Jacques
Storms on the Ocean
Old Joe Clark
Give Me the Roses
Opera Reel
Red River Valley
White Coral Bells
Amazing Grace
Gospel Ship
Glory Land
Phoebe Snow
Shortening Bread
Sitting On Top Of the World
Banks of the Ohio

Flying Fish 18964-0675-2
Rounder Records
One Camp Street
Cambridge, MA 02140
@2000

Personnel:
Bryan Bowers - autoharp, vocals

Bryan Bowers calls himself a "bringer of songs, stories and laughter," and this collection highlights some of the songs that have been his friends for life. Featured are many of the classics of American Folk Song and even some that are recognized by bluegrass fans and fiddle tune lovers: Old Joe Clark, Cluck Old Hen and Sitting on Top of The World.

Bryan Bowers is the autoharp and his interpretations bring the instrument above the classroom strum on the table variety of autoharp playing. There's many chord voicings and rhythms that will bring the instrument to the forefront. His singing is straight-forward and familiar.

The song list says it all and is probably longer than the review, but for lovers of traditional music who would like to hear some old favorites played a new way, this CD represents a refreshing collection.