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
Latest Entries
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
New Contemporary Blues: Bobby Messano — ‘Lemonade’
Bobby Messano — Lemonade Label: Fishhead Records The ninth studio album from guitarist and contemporary bluesman Bobby Messano will be released Friday, July 12th. On it, Messano proves his worth as a storyteller/songwriter as well. The album, Lemonade, is what happens when the right songs meet the right musicians, led by the right, fearless leader. That … Continue reading
Wimbledon 2019 Is Almost Here
The 133rd edition of The Championships will be held at the All England Club July 1-14, 2019. Women’s Singles Final – Saturday 13th July Men’s Singles Final – Sunday 14th July. Defending singles champions are Novak Djokovic and Angelique Kerber. Defending Men’s Doubles champions are Mike Bryan and Jack Sock. Defending Women’s Doubles champions are Barbora Krejčíková and … 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
Tennis: Ashleigh Barty — The Grand Champ Who Now Has A Grand Slam Title
With her first Grand Slam victory at Roland Garros this weekend, 23-year-old Ashleigh Barty achieved the success many have always assumed would come her way. I count myself among those pleased with this year’s French Open result. Barty, who will rise to world No 2 on Monday, is a teenage tennis sensation turned cricketer turned … 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
BMG Celebrates 70th Anniversary Of Hank Williams’ ‘HEALTH & HAPPINESS SHOW’ With Program’s First Vinyl Release
Three-album vinyl or 2-CD set contains the complete recordings of William’s eight 1949 radio shows, which include hits and rarities all newly restored and mastered. Street date June 14, 2019. Hank Williams began 1949 with his career at a crossroads. Although he was headlining the Louisiana Hayride radio show and achieved a few hits, big-time … Continue reading
