“The West Philly group have channeled the true soul of southern music on the LP, from the fun-loving, brass filled streets of New Orleans to the cathartic blues of Mississippi juke joints. The record was recorded, mixed and mastered over the course of just five days before the band represented Philadelphia at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, and that in-the-moment approach resulted in an authentic and genuine final product.”

“Although no finishers [of the contest] were designated beyond first, the act that I had first on my scorecard — harmonica-and-guitar duo Jason Hahn and Ansel Barnum of Bethlehem— would have finished second based on how we judges ranked and scored them. The duo, who also did well in last month’s Lehigh Valley Music Awards acoustic awards contest at Listen! Live Music in Zionsville, played dynamic instrumentals that – as a set should — got progressively better. The final – “I Wish I Could Sing Like Everybody Else, But Where’s the Fun in Conformity?” was a rich, textured and layered song with a nice melody.”

“Though the entirety of the band is rock solid on Amy Kucharik’s new CD, I would be amiss if I didn’t mention Ansel Barnum on harmonica who made me realize how much I missed hearing the instrument. Kudos.”

“Lehigh Valley folk treasure Dave Fry returns to recording with a collection whose outstanding production takes things beyond the usual guy-with-guitar sound. Skip the unnecessary opener (:29 of kids’ playing), go right to the danceable “Jimalong Joe,” then settle in for a fun ride. Fry’s arrangements make traditional tunes like “All Around the Kitchen” sparkle. But it’s in the performance that Fry sizzles, especially in a slothful “Three Slow Snails” and a jazzy “Giants.””

“While Ring Them Bells has an authentic, spare sound to it, make no mistake: The Copper Ponies have some profoundly talented friends on board with them..... Already, their album was among Top Albums of 2013 on the Folk Radio Airplay Charts...with Ring Them Bells charting #7 among “most played songs” and Last Train at #11.”

“Over textured and layered instrumentation, including acoustic guitar, light percussion, piano, and piercing harmonica, on ‘Whiskey Wit’ Kwesi very matter-of-factly sings a somber yet refreshing glimpse into the regret of a self-admitted loud mouth.”