Label: Blackbird Album Release Date: 9/26/25 Everything We Thought We Wanted, the new release from alt-country band The Far West includes a song that’s something of a revelation. It has an instantly appealing melody, and an observant lyric that imparts great self-wisdom. The reassuring song, “Joshua Tree,” is the second track on the album, and … Continue reading
On his fourth release, Running Through My Mind, David Bailis leads a quintet with Caroline Davis (alto sax), Andrew Links (keyboard), Jordan Scannella (bass), and Kenneth Salters (drums). As spectacular as the individual solos are (and believe me, they are sublime), the album’s true strength lies in the group’s unified sound. In fact, the entire … Continue reading
Grammy nominated country music icon Ty Herndon is teaming up with Grand Ole Opry member and Grammy Award-winning powerhouse vocalist Ashley McBryde to breathe new life into his 1998 hit “A Man Holdin’ On (To a Woman Lettin’ Go)” – a haunting ballad about love, loss, and the moment two hearts go their separate ways. The track, set for release on Friday, August … Continue reading
Sometimes the sound of a trustworthy voice, singing calming words of wisdom, are just what’s needed. This is the case with Hudson Macready and his new song, “Rise Again.” It’s a message of hope that speaks directly to those affected by the destructive wildfires that ravaged Southern California earlier this year. Like a good country … Continue reading
The gorgeous album cover is a lot to live up to. Happily for us, on her new release Expressions, vocalist Antonia Bennett does, with style to spare. Antonia Bennett fully inhabits each note, each lyric, indeed, even every rest.. She is subtle, sincere, and pays each song the highest compliment possible: she trusts the material. … Continue reading
John Primer was born and raised in Camden, Mississippi in a sharecropping family. One can hear it in every note, and it is the reason that his new album, Grown In Mississippi is such an impressive experience. Influenced by blues and gospel music during his youth, he later moved to Chicago where he performed with … Continue reading
Blues singer and harmonica player Tim Gartland has released his latest album, Right Amount of Funky. This is his sixth solo album and with it, he delivers a laid-back style that is instantly alluring. The stories told in song are observant and entertaining. Accompanying Gartland are Robert Frahm (guitar), Jody Nardone (keyboards), Mike Joyce (bass), … Continue reading
Vocalist Marilyn Kleinberg joins harmonica player Will Galison and a trio of jazz musicians for a sublime set of standards, delivering reflective and swinging performances with intimacy derived from the attentive interplay between the band members. There are a few surprises in the song choices, yet after listening they seem inevitable. The sign of a … Continue reading
From the opening notes, it’s clear that Chris Vincent has something to say. The energy that drives the album title, first track on the new album, Good Crook, ropes the listener in and doesn’t let go for the next twelve songs. Chris Vincent & the Raw Deals have delivered an amazing deal. The album positively … Continue reading
Musicians of Los Angeles Improvisation Ensemble: Robert Hardt (woodwinds), Louis Stewart (piano), Andrew Shulman (cello), Michael Valerio (bass). This improvised set shows strong coherence and agreement among the players. The woodwind, piano, cello, and bass quartet format might be an unusual grouping, but in their skilled hands it leads to unexplored musical textures that are … Continue reading
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