Mike Zito — ‘Make Blues Not War’ Label: Ruf Records Produced by Tom Hambridge, Make Blues Not War showcases Mike Zito at his most passionate. It’s a string of loose, in-the-moment, energetic performances of some of the most pleasurable blues you’ve heard in a long time. Pay special attention to the title track. It begins with … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: November 2016
CAL RIPKEN JR., JACK SOCK and Others: 2016’s Most Inspiring Sportsmanship Moments To Be Honored On Nov. 19
CAL RIPKEN JR., JACK SOCK and Others Involved In 2016’s Most Inspiring Sportsmanship Moments To Be Honored On Nov. 19 The stars of sportsmanship will be out at the Peabody Opera House in St. Louis on Saturday, Nov. 19. That night, the Musial Awards will celebrate the class acts in sports. Honorees include baseball hall … Continue reading
The Life and Songs of Emmylou Harris (CD/Blu-ray)
The Life & Songs of Emmylou Harris: An All-Star Concert Celebration Label: Rounder Records The first time I saw and heard Emmylou Harris in concert, a few decades ago, I was seated next to a fellow who attended with a pad of paper and some charcoal crayons. As Emmylou warbled and wooed through her rockin’, plaintive, … Continue reading
New Country/Rock/Blues: The Kentucky Headhunters — ‘On Safari’
The Kentucky Headhunters — On Safari Label: Plowboy Records/Practice House Records They released their debut album, Pickin’ On Nashville, in 1989. Country music didn’t exactly know what to do with their new southern rock sound, but fans new they loved it and wanted more. Fast forward twenty-five years (and a Grammy award) and it should come … Continue reading
New Bluegrass: Circa Blue — ‘Once Upon A Time’
Circa Blue — Once Upon A Time Label: Orange Blossom Records Circa Blue’s latest album, Once Upon A Time, is full of calm, soothing tones delivered on a cloud of musical coherence. It restores one’s faith in the ability of bluegrass to restore one’s faith. The lineup this time includes guitarist Steve Harris, banjoist Matt Hickman, mandolinist … Continue reading
New Bluegrass: Rhonda Vincent — ‘All The Rage – Volume One’
Rhonda Vincent — All The Rage – Volume One The latest release from Rhonda Vincent, also known as “The New Queen of Bluegrass,” is a live concert album with her award-winning bluegrass band the Rage. It features 14 songs (loads of fan favorites and a couple of classic hymns), filmed LIVE at Bethel University in McKenzie, … Continue reading
New Blues: Trudy Lynn — ‘I’ll Sing The Blues For You’
Trudy Lynn — ‘I’ll Sing The Blues For You’ Trudy Lynn carries on in the tradition of the great female Texas blues vocalists with her energetic and gutsy performances. I’LL SING THE BLUES FOR YOU is Trudy Lynn’s third release with Connor Ray Music. The album consists of ten tracks, including original works and interpretations of songs by … Continue reading
Garth Brooks Wins Entertainer Of The Year As The 50th CMAs Honor Country Music
Well, it probably won’t happen again for another fifty years. I’m talking, of course, about a CMA Awards show that (except for one unnecessary Beyoncé moment) actually honored authentic country music during the entire evening. The Country Music Association’s 50th awards were bigger than ever. Anyone who saw the star-studded, “Forever Country” video, which was packed to the … Continue reading
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