The latest album from the Night Bluemers — Welcome Aboard the Midnight Train — is a journey worth taking. It’s a perfect disc to keep you warm during these cold winter night. The band is made up of six top blues artists from the contemporary Quebec blues scene: Christian Gamache (guitar), Jean Boudreau (bass), Jacques … Continue reading
Latest Entries
New Blues: Val Starr & the Blues Rocket — ‘Healing Kind of Blues’
Val Starr & the Blues Rocket’s new album, Healing Kind of Blues, is a collection of original blues songs in a mostly uplifting, energetic style. You’ve heard of “Memphis Blues,” “Delta Blues,” “Chicago Blues,” and others. Val Starr delivers “California Blues” — an eclectic mix of traditional blues, West-Coast swing, and rock and jazz infused … Continue reading
New Music: Mary Hott with the Carpenter Ants — ‘Devil in the Hills: Coal Country Reckoning’
Mary Hott has set history to music. Her new album soulfully conveys the tragic circumstances of West Virginia’s mine wars. It’s been over 100 years since those battles, but the toll of their economic and emotional violence lingers on. Devil in the Hills: Coal Country Reckoning uses a blend of country rock, gospel, bluegrass, and … Continue reading
Preview: Andrew Beall & Evan McCormack’s ‘Wake Up New York’
How do you know that musical theater in New York City is going to be just fine? Take a listen to just one of the projects currently simmering — just waiting to be fully realized. For instance, this track (“Wake Up New York”) just released from the creators of a musical-in-progress titled Goodbye New … Continue reading
New Music: Alison Krauss & Robert Plant — ‘Raise the Roof’
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant — ‘Raise the Roof’Label: Rounder Records Alison Krauss and Robert Plant (that’s the order I put them in) have reunited for another album more than a dozen years after their collaboration “Raising Sand” became a hit. The 12-track Raise the Roof, on Rounder Records, is a collection of covers like … Continue reading
Landslide Records’ 40th Anniversary Compilation
Great news: Landslide Records celebrates its 40th Anniversary with this extensive and very satisfying two-disc compilation, featuring the best of the label’s output through the years. These discs are packed with sublime performances of blues, jazz, rockabilly, and so much more by some amazing talent, including; Tinsley Ellis, Sean Costello, Delta Moon, The Derek Trucks … Continue reading
New Blues/Roots Music: Zoom (with Shawn Kellerman) — ‘Chocolate Cake’
The request for a second serving goes without saying. What comes as a surprise is how each track of Chocolate Cake — the new album from Zoom with Shawn Kellerman — reaches a new, highly satisfying emotional level. With blues/funk diva Zoom’s powerful vocals and Kellerman’s equally forceful guitar work/play, the album is an essential, … Continue reading
New Music: Tim McNary — ‘Loose Leaf’
So clear, these notes. So clear, these words. So clear, the connection between them and the state of mind they inspire. For a collection of songs to be so captivating, while at the same time incredibly healing is quite a gift, and it comes from singer/songwriter Tim McNary on his new album Loose Leaf. Known … Continue reading
New Blues: Sue Foley — ‘Pinky’s Blues’
Sue Foley — Pinky’s Blues Label: Stony Plain Records Consistency is a trait that doesn’t always get the respect it deserves. There’s something to be said about an artist who earns the ovations on a regular basis. Consistency is even more admirable when it comes to an artist who sets the bar incredibly high. That … Continue reading
In honor of Stephen Sondheim: just a few of his best lyrics
Stephen Sondheim, the respected, admired, and, let’s face it — worshipped — composer-lyricist behind some of Broadway’s most beloved and celebrated shows, died today at 91. Mr. Sondheim was the Shakespeare of musical theater. Now we know for certain that “there are giants in the sky.” Even more than the melodies, Sondheim’s lyrics stand alone as … Continue reading
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