Oh, please. A peppy, pop “call for unity” that was “inspired by national unrest.” Yet more highly selective cultural memory being sold as giving a hoot. Funny how this overly radio-friendly musical plea would never have been so proudly released last summer, when riots lasted seven months instead of a few hours, when more than … Continue reading
Latest Entries
Missing Tony Rice Already
Tony Rice was one of the leading lights of bluegrass music. He died suddenly on Christmas Day at the age of 69. The 2013 inductee into the International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Fame has been making beautiful music since the 1970s. We already miss his skill and we will miss his influence for years … Continue reading
A New Listen for Old Friends: Neil Diamond’s ‘Classic Diamonds’
Neil Diamond with the London Symphony Orchestra — Classic Diamonds What a pairing: a classic pop songwriter with a classical symphony. If this doesn’t put you into a good mood, then nothing will. Pick any track on Neil Diamond’s new album, Classic Diamonds, and you’re sure to spend at least the next few minutes with … Continue reading
New Country: Margie Singleton — ‘Never Mind’
Margie Singleton — Never Mind In a world starved for authenticity, along comes Margie Singleton — one of the great performers of country music — to show how a great country song really works. How it all fits together. When she delivers a song, she offers an interpretation that generously acknowledges the equal importance of … Continue reading
New Music: Grace Pettis — “Drop Another Pin”
Grace Pettis — “Drop Another Pin” Grace Pettis.Remember that name.Better yet, listen to her new single and watch the video, and you won’t forget it. An award-winning singer songwriter from Austin via Alabama, she has been characterized as “a little bit folk, a little bit country/Americana and a whole lot of soul.” Her debut single for MPress … Continue reading
Wynonna’s New EP — ‘Recollections’ — Out Oct. 30
1. I Hear You Knocking (Fats Domino)2. King Bee (Slim Harpo)3. Feeling Good (Nina Simone)4. Angel From Montgomery (John Prine)5. Ramble On Rose (Grateful Dead) Recollections marks both a literal and a figurative homecoming for Wynonna, who recorded much of the collection while quarantining on her Tennessee farm in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. … Continue reading
The Rocky Horror Picture Show 45th Anniversary Limited-Edition Vinyl Picture Disc Arrives October 23
“Let’s Do The Time Warp Agaaaaaaaaain” to the soundtrack of cinema’s all-time favorite cult film This goes out to all of my old best friends on Saturday nights at midnight at the UA6 Cinema in Santa Rosa, California in 1980-82… and my old best friends on Saturday nights at midnight at the 8th Street Playhouse … Continue reading
New Country: Alecia Nugent — ‘The Old Side of Town’
Alecia Nugent — The Old Side of TownLabel: Hillbilly Goddess Music (Release date: 9/18/20) If they ever gave out an award for the “Easiest To Listen To” album, Alecia Nugent‘s new release (with three previous albums on Rounder Records, this is her fourth), The Old Side of Town, would be a top contender. The album … Continue reading
New Blues: Justin Saladino Band — ‘Live’
Justin Saladino Band — ‘Live’ If you could use a little live music in your life these days, I highly recommend the satisfying recent release by the Justin Saladino Band. The band’s first live studio album couldn’t have arrived at a more perfect time. It’s a seemingly effortless, powerful performance, full of inspired guitar riffs … Continue reading
New Blues/Funk/Bayou Soul: Johnny & The Mongrels — ‘Creole Skies’
Johnny & The Mongrels — ‘Creole Skies’Release Date: July 17, 2020 Creole Skies, the superb new release from Johnny & the Mongrels, arrives at the perfect time. If you are spending most of your time indoors, this album will transport you to the Bayou and beyond. Your soul will be grateful for the musical voyage. … Continue reading
