Multimedia artist Fella Cederbaum is a writer, a director, a painter, a filmmaker, and an artist who is brave enough to be an original. For that alone, she deserves our admiration… especially since her art is aimed at embracing reality. Although I’m uncertain about future desires to play Speech Acrobats again and again, I must … Continue reading
It’s a simple song. The best ones often are. It speaks in a melancholy voice, with hushed tones aiming directly to the heart. Let’s face it — when a song begins with “I’ll fly myself to France, first class, New York to Paris… get drunk on wine, and dance, someone who ain’t embarrassed…”, you know … Continue reading
When is a cover of a classic song just as good as the original? Not often enough. Unless, of course, you’re talking about the new single released by Sam Morrow. His take on “Addicted to Love” (produced by Eric Corne) is a close to definitive as a cover can get. The track features Scott Sharrard … Continue reading
Label: True North Records Release date: April 7, 2023 Entering the “TumbleWeedyWorld” of Lynn Miles on her new album is a pleasure. It features ten songs examining the fragility of life, and the metaphoric tumbleweeds that are encountered as we travel along. The album’s journey is also a soothing trot, with songs and words that … Continue reading
Ready to fall in love with country music again? I know, it’s happened before, but these things come in waves and the time to renew your appreciation for clear, meaningful music, compellingly sung is approaching. All it will take is your discovery of Jake Ybarra. He’s the rich voice that you’ve been longing to find … Continue reading
What a delight to encounter the inspiration of a jazz bassoon-centered album. Who knew that this all too frequently overlooked woodwind could create such a playful, imaginative, addictive response? I could listen to Michael Rabinowitz play all night and still want more. I love the experimental spirit at the heart of this release. The featured … Continue reading
A good live album can provide that oh so difficult to achieve feeling of being in the room, encircled by swirling, gliding notes, full of life and spontaneity. Jazz artists Maria Jacobs’s new album, Back At The Bop Stop, accomplishes it from the first inviting drum kick-off of the Freddie Hubbard / Abbey Lincoln waltz … Continue reading
Label: Stony Plains Records Release date: March 24, 2023 Eric Bibb‘s follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2021 album, Dear America, Ridin’ is a continuation of the vision that informs Bibb’s artistry as a modern-day Blues troubadour. Grounded in the folk and blues tradition with contemporary sensibilities, Bibb’s music continues to reflect his thoughts on his … Continue reading
Savoy Brown — Blues All Around Label: Quarto Valley Records It begins with a repeating guitar phrase that is its own call and response. There is something seductively timeless happening. Eventually, a vocalized “Falling through” beckons twice, and we are transported to a multi-layered world of pain, healing, and redemption. We have solidly landed in … Continue reading
Sometimes, hearing an influence on an artist in his work is more than just a coincidence, more than just a good thing. Once in a while, it is a refreshing reminder of the continuity of the form. Such is the case with Skip Grasso’s new album, Becoming. It is a collection of 8 tracks that … Continue reading
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