Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat — Live At The Kessler Label: Underground Records Let’s face it, getting out to a live concert is sometimes a bigger challenge than we’d like to think. Depending on what city you’re in, it could be the traffic, the door charge, the drunk, obnoxious audience, or just the all-too-frequent “I’m too busy” … Continue reading
Author Archives: Greg Victor
Omnivore’s GAME THEORY Reissue Initiative Continues With Expanded Edition Of ‘The Big Shot Chronicles’
Thirtieth anniversary expanded version of band’s revered third full-length LP contains 13 bonus tracks, nine previously unissued. Out September 23rd. Omnivore Recordings continues the re-examination of Game Theory’s stellar 1980s catalog with an expanded reissue of The Big Shot Chronicles. Passionate fans of the group all have a favorite GT album, and the band’s drummer, Gil Ray, refers … Continue reading
New Bluegrass: Lonesome River Band’s ‘Bridging The Tradition’
Lonesome River Band — Bridging The Tradition When tradition works, you don’t need to improve it. Lonesome River Band may not have started out as the protectors of the bluegrass status quo, but after making consistently high quality music for twenty-five years, they are in that admirable position. That doesn’t mean that they are stuck … Continue reading
Chase Bryant’s New Single (“Room To Breathe”) Reminds Us Why We Love All Kinds Of Country Music
Chase Bryant’s new single, “Room To Breathe,” is many things. It is upbeat, sexy, bluesy, seductive, funky, sensual, and brooding. It is also another step in the inevitable development of country music. Singing the breathtaking tune, it’s clear that Chase Bryant has a voice that could just as easily find big success in pop, jazz … Continue reading
New Bluegrass: The Earls of Leicester — ‘Rattle & Roar’
The Earls of Leicester — Rattle & Roar Label: Rounder Records (to be released July 15, 2016) It is one of the most highly-anticipated bluegrass albums of the year, and it does not disappoint. The greatest way to pay tribute to what has come before isn’t necessarily to recreate. Rather, it is to develop. That … Continue reading
New Documentary: ELSTREE 1976 reveals the lives of actors and extras in ‘Star Wars’
Not since we contemplated the stories of those who played Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz… ELSTREE 1976 explores the lives of the actors and extras behind one of the most celebrated Science Fiction films in cinematic history, Star Wars. It is an entertaining, affectionate tribute to a previously ignored aspect of one of the … Continue reading
New Americana: Elouise — ‘Deep Water’
Elouise — Deep Water Expected Release: Jul 15, 2016 It is a swampy, nearly kinetic experience. The songs on Elouise’s new album, Deep Water, are enough to send you to swimming lessons, as futile as that may be, considering the mirky depths the songs take you. The soundscape presented on the entirety of the album … Continue reading
Tennis: A Yawner Of A Draw In Newport
Steve Johnson (ranked number 25 in the world) is the number one seed at the Tennis Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, Rhode Island this week. What more can you say? With today’s withdrawal of Vasek Pospisil, there are very few reasons to go put up with the high prices and low hospitality of the … Continue reading
THE MAVERICKS LAUNCH MONO MUNDO RECORDINGS, PLAN FOR A BUSY YEAR AHEAD, WITH TWO ALBUM RELEASES
The Mavericks, one of the most independent-minded bands in the history of American music, have gone full indie, launching their own record label and announcing two new releases in the year ahead. Mono Mundo Recordings is a partnership that brings together the Mavericks, Nashville distribution and marketing innovators Thirty Tigers and the band’s trusted Ventura, … Continue reading
New Americana: Chip Taylor — ‘Little Brothers’
Chip Taylor — Little Brothers From the start, Chip Taylor makes it clear that Little Brothers is not your typical album. The fusion of guitar and text remind us of the essence of a good song: storytelling. The rest of the album amplifies this captivating notion, with songs of confession, enlightenment and personal redemption. Clearly, … Continue reading
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