Eric Jerardi The Game (Alternator Records/Niche Records) Winning a Battle of the Bands in ’89 led 20-year-old Eric Jerardi – a native of Dayton, Ohio – towards a rather prolific career, having since released ten albums, adding to his trophy room along the way. Each of The Games’ dozen songs were self-penned and, in the […]
Mystikana at 1887 Church in Irondale, OntarioFriday, August 22nd Sometimes, it can be a treat to just pick up and go to a live music show… to simply seek out something new…to investigate an act you know nothing about. In this case, there was a cause – and a good one: to support a fundraiser […]
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Steve Robinson and Ed Woltil Temporary Sun (Sunshine Drenchy Records) Considered their third release, you might be one of a lucky few if you’re even familiar with either Ed Woltil or Steve Robinson. However, your appreciation for music of exceptional quality will be instantly enriched if you embrace what these two passionate wunderkinds have committed […]
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Claire Lynch Empty Pair of Shoes (Thrill Hill Records) The old adage ‘less is more’ has never been more appropriate than it is applied to Claire Lynch’s long-awaited follow-up to 2016’s North By South. It’s been a long time coming and, at only 8 songs and 24+ minutes in length, I (somewhat foolishly) asked her, […]
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Boone Creek Boone Creek (Craft Recordings/HighTone Records) Fans of quality bluegrass will be thrilled to hear about the re-release of Boone Creek’s debut from 1977, remastered and loaded, additionally, with previously unreleased tracks. First there was traditional bluegrass – established by Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass boys back as early as ’39. It kicked […]
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Greg Piccolo & Heavy Juice Who Knows What the Future Holds (MoMojo Records) If you already know of Greg Piccolo, it’s likely because of his noteworthy tenure with Roomful of Blues – having spent 25 years as founder, key tenor sax player and, eventually, ‘leader’ amongst a rotating cast of more than 45 musicians. Originally […]
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Debra Power Unapologetically Me (Independent) For those who haven’t come in contact with blues singer and pianist Debra Power, prepare to strap yourself in. If one had to try and define who she is as an artist, the first word that comes to mind is…exuberant! She explodes the blues and, armed with her extreme gifts […]
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Ben Brandt Solid Ground (Katalex Records) While it might be a stretch to include this release with our Americana designation, it’s nonetheless an excellent record from a relatively unknown entity out of Pennsylvania. Brandt, who originally hails from a Harrisburg-born band known as the Soul Miners Union, has stepped out on his own with a […]
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SP3 (Steve Payne) Almost Blue Chances are good you’ve not heard of Steve Payne or his latest musical ensemble, SP3, before now. Born Bristol, England, his home base is in Chepstow, Wales, where he prefers the reduced levels of hustle and bustle. A veteran of multiple British bands (The Payne Killers, The Parole Brothers, Crawdaddy, […]
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Tommy Talton Seven Levels (Strolling Bones Records) For those of us enamoured of the Capricorn Records era and the artists they signed, chances are good you’ll be familiar with the band Cowboy. No less that Duane Allman – who’s first release with the Brothers was in ’69 – brought Cowboy to label co-founder/tastemaker Phil Walden’s […]
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