Storyland (on Instant Replay/Fontana North Universal), is the latest release from Canadian-based vocalist Sherri Harding. The album blends soul, blues, and R&B, and delivers a thoroughly satisfying Canada-meets-Memphis listening experience. Harding invests every note with her soul, resulting in a collection of songs that immediately connect. Combined with the clear, heartfelt delivery is the material … Continue reading
Greg Nagy’s album Just A Little More Time is a satisfying blend of soul, blues, and R&B. Nagy’s heartfelt vocals, exceptional guitar work, and storytelling all combine to deliver a must-have for fans of classic soul and modern blues. Besides strong originals (such as the title track), the album features compelling covers of songs by … Continue reading
If sweet vibes sound good to you, then pay attention to Nowhere To Hide, the upcoming release from soul/blues dynamo Ollee Owens. The album delivers eleven tracks that cover a range of emotional territory, and, in doing so, allow Owens to display her gift for conveying present ideas with classic soulful undercurrents. Owens successfully offers … Continue reading
Label: Gulf Coast Records There’s nothing better than an album full of music that the recording artist clearly loves. That’s what you get with Kevin Burt & Big Medicine’s latest disc, Thank You, Big Brother: A Tribute to Bill Withers. While I admit to playing tracks 6 (“Ain’t No Sunshine”) and 7 (“Lean On Me”) first, … Continue reading
Eightlock’s new album, Lions Roaring in Quicksand (out now on Steele Records) showcases band leader Paul Reed Smith’s expertise in all things guitar (making them and playing them). The tracks offer an impressive array of styles, all played with equal mastery. The band’s sound is a blend of blues, soul, rock, funk and roots, delivered with a … Continue reading
Nalani Rothrock‘s new release, titled The Rock House Sessions (Extended Cut), is a spectacular showcase for her vast vocal gifts. Producer and keyboardist Kevin McKendree has delivered an album (on the Jolani Music Group label) that rivals the best from any other label this year. Nalani Rothrock and co-writer/guitarist Joshua Lamkin create and sustain a soulful … Continue reading
It’s all about the song. Well, it’s all about how the band plays that song. Alright, alright… technically, it’s all about the effect the band has on the listener. And, using that criterion, Eric Demmer‘s new album — So Fine — is powerful stuff. I dare you to play these twelve tracks and not get … Continue reading
Bo-Keys’ Scott Bomar produces collection of seven powerful originals, plus covers of Otis Clay, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Ruby Johnson Amy Black has always been drawn to soul singers. But it wasn’t until she began exploring her own southern roots for her last album, The Muscle Shoals Sessions, that she found her musical sweet spot — … Continue reading
The Soul Of John Black — Early In The Moanin’ The Soul Of John Black presents a welcome new take on soul music from two highly skilled musicians: John Bigham (percussion) and Christopher Thomas (bass). Their new album, Early In The Moanin’, explores almost all possible textures of feel good blues and R&B. There is a diversity to … Continue reading
The Fabulous Thunderbirds — Strong Like That Label: Severn Records Yes, they’re still pretty fabulous, if perhaps a tad too smooth. With their fusion of blues, rock & roll, and R&B, the Fabulous Thunderbirds popularized roadhouse Texas blues in the ’80s and became one of the most inflential bands in that subgenre. Since then, they’ve continued … Continue reading
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