Old Southern Porches (Pinecastle, 1999)

The lead singer with the New Coon Creek Girls, Dale Ann Bradley is one of the top female singers in bluegrass. Her first solo project, "East Kentucky Morning," was very well received and helped introduce her to fans who may only have known of her as part of the NCCG quartet. Her latest is a wonderful collection which should push her further into the spotlight.

From covers of pop tunes like "Stuck In The Middle (With You)" and "Rain On The Roof" to originals "Face On A Poster," "I'll Stop Loving You With Style" and "Old Southern Porches," Bradley has a talent for choosing songs that let her express herself, but also fit well within the bluegrass idiom. "What Am I Doing Loving You Again" is a classic New Coon Creek Girls tune. "Steady As A Rock" is the album's lone gospel song.

The album was produced by bluegrass-legend, Sonny Osborne. To his credit, this album is not over-produced. Bradley's music is simple, sincere and very enjoyable to listen to. Fans who enjoy Alison Krauss, but want a little more of the 'bluegrass sound' will enjoy this.