Laurence Jones — ‘Take Me High’ Label: Ruf Records No one revels in exploring the potential of the guitar these days quite as much as two-time British Blues Award-winner Laurence Jones. His new album, Take Me High, uses the instrument as a means of brilliant communication. What he seems to be saying, above all else, is … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: August 2016
New Rock: The Steepwater Band — ‘Shake Your Faith’
The Steepwater Band — ‘Shake Your Faith’ Label: Diamond Day Records This record jams. What’s more, the songs themselves are worth all of the effort. There is nothing better than a hypnotic base line, layered with an alternately gritty and smooth vocal. It is the essence of rock, and The Steepwater Band has it. Their … Continue reading
O’Connor Band (w/ Mark O’Connor) — ‘Coming Home’
O’Connor Band (w/ Mark O’Connor) — Coming Home Label: Rounder Records Coming Home, the long awaited album from the O’Connor Band, is finally here and meets the highest of expectations. The album is Mark O’Connor’s return to his bluegrass roots. It is a family affair; featuring a band centered around his family: his wife, Maggie (fiddle, … Continue reading
US OPEN Predictions: Tuesday, 8/30/16
US OPEN Predictions: Tuesday, 8/30/16… The predicted winner’s name is in BOLD. Nishikori v. Becker Carreno Busta v. Ivashka Chardy v. Mmoh Dimitrov v. Cervantes A. Zverev v. Brands Khachanov v. Fabbiano Evans v. Ram Goffin v. Donaldson Troicki v. Albot Wawrinka v. Verdasco Ferrer v. Dolgopolov Kohlschreiber v. Mahut Kudla v. Giannessi Querrey … Continue reading
Tennis: Taylor Fritz Impresses At His First U.S. Open
While celebrities were walking the red carpet, entering Arthur Ashe Stadium for the U.S. Open’s official opening ceremony, there were two tennis stars shining brightly on the adjacent court—Jack Sock and Taylor Fritz—the most exciting American tennis players around these days. Taylor Fritz could someday be known as the Cary Grant of tennis (if, by … Continue reading
US OPEN Predictions: Day One
Day One — Match of the Day: Jack Sock (USA) v. Taylor Fritz (USA) Taylor Fritz, the lanky 6ft 4in American teen, will make a strong first impression on fans at the US Open on Monday evening. So far this season, he has a 12-16 record (with quarter-finals in Atlanta, Acapulco and Memphis). Fritz has … Continue reading
New Pop: Liz Longley — ‘Weightless’
Liz Longley — Weightless Label: Sugar Hill Records Every once in awhile a song comes along that cuts to the marrow of a situation and captures the emotional aftershock perfectly. Hopefully the title song on Liz Longley’s new album, Weightless, will get the exposure it deserves and thrust the singer/songwriter into a new level of … Continue reading
New Bluegrass: Kristin Scott Benson — ‘Stringworks’
Kristin Scott Benson — Stringworks Label: Mountain Home Music Company String works is a mesmerizing album showcasing Kristin Scott Benson’s abundance of musical gifts. On it, the four-time winner of the IBMA Instrumental Performer of the Year Award for Banjo offers an agreeable half instrumental, half vocal collection of twelve songs. The material chosen allows us … Continue reading
Tony Hadley, The Voice Of Spandau Ballet, Offers Debut Holiday Album On Omnivore
New 2016 edition includes three previously unissued tracks. Album features standards, seasonal hits and original songs, including duet with Kim Wilde. Out on October 21st. Tony Hadley was the soulful front man for the hugely popular 1980s New Romantic band Spandau Ballet. After fifteen Top 10 singles (including the #1 smash “True”) the group took a 20-year hiatus before reforming … Continue reading
‘Highway Prayer’: A Tribute To Adam Carroll Celebrates Singular Texas Tunesmith
Tribute album due October 28 on Eight 30 Records features James McMurtry, Hayes Carll, Slaid Cleaves, Band of Heathens, Tim Easton and Aaron Lee Tasjan Highway Prayer: A Tribute to Adam Carroll, due October 28 on Austin-based Eight 30 Records, celebrates a true songwriter’s songwriter, a Texas tunesmith who has inspired both younger and older artists for nearly two decades. … Continue reading
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