Rory Block — Keepin’ Outta Trouble: A Tribute to Bukka White Label: New Stony Plain Records In the liner notes for her recent album, Keepin’ Outta Trouble: A Tribute to Bukka White, contemporary blues artist Rory Block writes, “More than any artist in my Mentor Series, Bukka inspired me to write new songs.” Rooted in country blues tradition, Block … Continue reading
Latest Entries
One Of The Greatest Duet Albums—Bobby Darin & Johnny Mercer’s ‘TWO OF A KIND’—To Be Reissued By Omnivore Recordings March 25th
Bobby Darin & Johnny Mercer — Two of a Kind Label: Omnivore Recordings Release Date: March 24, 2017 There’s an old saying about vaudeville that went something like, “When vaudeville died, television was the box they put it in.” What was live theater’s loss at the time became the artistic foundation for the television’s early … Continue reading
Jaco Pastorius’ Truth, Liberty & Soul — Live In NYC: The Complete 1982 NPR Jazz Alive! Recording Coming From Resonance Records
Previously unreleased live album by electric bass genius Jaco Pastorius and the Word of Mouth Big Band featuring special guest, harmonica virtuoso Toots Thielemans recorded at Avery Fisher Hall in NYC on June 27, 1982 as part of George Wein’s Kool Jazz Festival. Deluxe limited edition 3-LP boxed set available for Record Store Day on April 22, 2017 and … Continue reading
Rock And Blues Powerhouse The Blackfoot Gypsies Fill It To The Top With Their New Album
The Nashville-based roots rockers deliver a hearty and full-bodied rock ’n’ roll platter with help from some of Nashville’s finest talent, including red-hot singer Margo Price, on April 14, 2017. The Blackfoot Gypsies will unleash a set of original roadhouse rockin’ tunes with To the Top, out April 14, 2017, on Plowboy Records. The Nashville-based powerhouse quartet demonstrate … Continue reading
New Blues/Rock: Strongman — ‘No Time Like Now’
Strongman — No Time Like Now Label: Sonic Unyon Records Release date: March 10, 2017 If you like a whole lot of energy with your blues, you’re in luck. No Time Like Now, the new release from Canadian artist Strongman, is an album that delivers everything you want in 21st-century, raw, electrified blues and nothing that you don’t want. It is musically … Continue reading
New Americana: Chip Taylor — ‘A Song I Can Live With’
Chip Taylor — A Song I Can Live With Label: Train Wreck Records Chip Taylor’s latest release offers a collection of captivating songs delivered in an entrancing performance. Talk about trusting the material; there is a spareness to the album that makes these steel-spined-yet-emotional songs all the stronger. With the support of the most appropriate orchestrations … Continue reading
Grand Ole Opry Recognizes Travis Tritt on 25th Anniversary of Becoming Opry Member
Travis Tritt celebrated his 25th anniversary of becoming an Opry member Tuesday night, February 28. During Tritt’s 30-minute set, the legendary John Conlee presented Tritt with a commemorative plaque congratulating the singer for his long-lived relationship with the Opry. While standing inside the famous six-foot circle on stage, Tritt expressed his feelings about the night, … Continue reading
Soulful Songs With Sax: Vanessa Collier — ‘Meeting My Shadow’
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
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
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