Paul Gabriel — Man of Many Blues Label: Smoke Ring Records (With Special Guests: Duke Robillard, Christine Ohlman, Sugar Ray Norcia) Man of Many Blues is the new release from Blues Music Award-nominated guitarist, singer and songwriter Paul Gabriel. It delivers thirteen original songs featuring Paul Gabriel backed by a stellar collection of musicians, including … Continue reading
Category Archives: Music
Newly Found Folk/Americana Performances: Ian & Sylvia — ‘The Lost Tapes’
Ian & Sylvia — The Lost Tapes Label: Stony Plain Records (Release date: September 6, 2019. The Lost Tapes is being released prior to Ian and Sylvia’s inductions into the Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. Both have previously been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.) The first thing you hear is applause. It … Continue reading
New Country: Vince Gill — ‘Okie’
Vince Gill — Okie Singer-songwriter Vince Gill’s new album, Okie, is more than just about his roots. It’s also about where those roots have traveled and grown. What a voice. Still. It is raw Vince Gill. No collaborative duets, no song-stealing guitar solos, no obvious “singles”… just the man and his music. Did I say … Continue reading
New Blues: Dawn Tyler Watson — ‘Mad Love’
Dawn Tyler Watson — Mad Love Canadian blues vocalist Dawn Tyler Watson‘s newest album, Mad Love, is her fifth recording, and it’s so satisfying that I’m already looking forward to her next project. Produced by “Little Frankie” Thiffault, Dawn Tyler Watson has delivered a collection that proves she can do it all, from electric blues/rock to … Continue reading
New Blues: Blue Moon Marquee — ‘Bare Knuckles & Brawn’
Every now and then, an album comes along that reminds you just how much fun the blues can be. Perhaps I was just in the right mood, or perhaps I was only hearing what I wanted to hear (not a bad way to go through life, by the way), or perhaps Bare Knuckles & Brawn … Continue reading
New Pop / Americana: Flagship Romance — ‘Concentric’
Flagship Romance — Concentric (Release date: August 9th, 2019) The hypnotic piano lulls you into a place where, encountering perfect harmonies, you ask “What’s this?” It’s a web of notes, words, feelings, images, and emotions, all waking up your deeper sensitivities. In other words, it’s a song doing exactly what a great song does what … Continue reading
New Americana: Red Idle Rejects — ‘Room With A View’
Red Idle Rejects — Room With A View Is Red Idle really a place? Clearly it’s a state of mind, at least, and Red Idle Rejects captures its essence perfectly with their new album Room With A View. If there are any musical ancestors in the historic environs of Red Idle, it would be a song … Continue reading
Omnivore to Release Five-CD Set of Jazz Saxophonist Art Pepper’s Sessions for Artists House Label (Sept. 23)
PROMISE KEPT: THE COMPLETE ARTISTS HOUSE RECORDINGS DUE OUT SEPTEMBER 23. Package contains the four albums drawn from the sessions, Plus a fifth disc of additional takes. Nineteen previously unreleased performances included. Laurie Pepper contributed liner notes and rare photographs. Producer John Snyder had always wanted to record alto saxophonist Art Pepper and booked him … Continue reading
Must-Hear Music: Glenna Bell — ‘Let Freedom Ring: Songs for a New Generation’
Glenna Bell — Let Freedom Ring: Songs for a New Generation Glenna Bell has given us a new gift. Heck, Glenna Bell is a gift. The first time I was honored to hear her sing live, she took my breath away. Her latest album, Let Freedom Ring, is everything I hoped it would be—simply more … Continue reading
Notable New Music: Kevin Breit — ‘Stella Bella Strada’
Kevin Breit — Stella Bella Strada Label: Stony Plain Records (release date: May 31, 2019) The album cover says it all. Playing guitar master Kevin Breit’s new album, Stella Bella Strada, will result in your own expression of mirth, from the relief at hearing something so original and of such quality. Call it blues, call … Continue reading
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