Vanessa Collier — Meeting My Shadow Meet Vanessa Collier (recently nominated for a 2017 Blues Music Award and fresh off the first leg of her 2017 European tour with the Blues Caravan) and her new album, Meeting My Shadow. The disc is a wonderfully comprehensive introduction to the saxophonist, vocalist, and songwriter. Collier can seemingly do … Continue reading
Category Archives: Music
New Bluegrass: Noam Pikelny — ‘Universal Favorite’
Noam Pikelny — ‘Universal Favorite’ Label: Rounder Records (available March 3, 2017) Listening to Noam Pikelny’s new album, Universal Favorite, is almost a cinematic experience. The notes that float and fly out of Mr. Pikelny’s instrument seem to catch and reflect light as they move past, making way for the next series of notes, while … Continue reading
New Country: Dustin Lynch’s New Single — “Small Town Boy”
Dustin Lynch — “Small Town Boy” (single) Like the old Buck Owens (and almost as old Beatles) song said, all he has to do is “act naturally.” And that’s exactly what Broken Bow Records artist Dustin Lynch does with his new single, “Small Town Boy.” When he sings the song, he proves that no performance is … Continue reading
‘Windy City’: Another Instant Classic From Alison Krauss
Alison Krauss — Windy City It doesn’t get much better than this. After twenty-seven Grammy Awards (making her the most awarded singer, the most awarded female artist, and tied for the second most awarded artist overall in Grammy history), it appears that Alison Krauss can still do no wrong. Most of the songs, familiar and obscure, on this … Continue reading
New Bluegrass: The Gibson Brothers — ‘In The Ground’
The Gibson Brothers — In The Ground Label: Rounder Records A new release from the tightly harmonizing group known as The Gibson Brothers is always something to look forward to. With In the Ground, as usual, they do not disappoint. This recording consists entirely of original Gibson Brothers material and it is full of insight, instruction … Continue reading
New Bluegrass: Chris Jones & The Night Drivers — ‘Made To Move’
Chris Jones & The Night Drivers — Made To Move If there was ever a bluegrass CD to take on a long road trip, this would be it. In fact, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers’ Made To Move is so good that you should take a few wrong roads, get a little lost and just … Continue reading
New Bluegrass: Darin and Brooke Aldridge — ‘Faster And Farther’
Darin and Brooke Aldridge — ‘Faster And Farther’ Two of the album’s best songs (“Kingdom Come” and “Lila”) come from New Grass Revival member Pat Flynn. That should give you some idea of the high level of quality that can be found in Faster And Farther, the new release from Darin and Brooke Aldridge. The album is a … Continue reading
Once Again, The Grammys Prove They Know Nothing About Country Music
What nominees. It really ensured that the winners would be uninspiring, no matter whose name was announced. Still, the Grammy Awards in these Country categories got it all wrong. Here are the nominees, along with who won, and who Parcbench.live feels should have won: Best Country Solo Performance “Love Can Go To Hell” — Brandy … Continue reading
New Folk/Rock: Joe Goodkin — ‘Record Of Loss’
Singer/songwriter Joe Goodkin has released Record of Loss, the follow up to his 2015 achievement, Record of Life. It is the second in a trilogy of EPs; look for the third, Record of Love, later this year. I expect (or at least hope) that the future release will be as healing as this one is emotionally … Continue reading
Bobby Darin And Johnny Mercer’s Legendary 1961 Album, TWO OF A KIND, Reissued In Expanded Edition By Omnivore Recordings, Set For March 24 Release
Revered collaboration, featuring Billy May & His Orchestra, pays homage to Tin Pan Alley. Expanded reissue contains seven previously unreleased performances. Anyone who is a fan of a swinging big band and pop vocals knows the names Bobby Darin, Johnny Mercer, and Billy May. But even those who don’t know these names know their sound. … Continue reading
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