I found these 12 songs beautifully recorded. The guitars chime clearly, the overall band plays with taste & yes, there’s a little 60’s pop sensibility but it’s not distracting. Texas-born George Ducas’ clear vocals have a Jimmy Dean twang not a Randy Travis one. On Yellow Rose Motel (drops Dec. 6 – Loud Ranch Records) […]
The voice is good, but some vocal lessons are still needed to smooth wrinkles in St. Paul, Minnesota’s Nicholas David’s performance. Be not deterred. The 11-track LP Yesterday’s Gone (drops Nov 29 – Wildheart Records) was recorded in New Orleans & cool originals flourish. David’s obvious Dr. John-inflected vocal moments are worthy. His voice has […]
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For people who enjoy vocals similar to David Fogelberg, Steve Goodman, Jonathan Edwards, Emitt Rhodes or Jackson Browne this LP by 5-time Emmy winner Mark Oblinger will be quite intriguing. Fortunately, despite a light touch, Mark doesn’t project like a wimpy-folk singer. His voice has depth, character, and sincerity. “Judgment Road,” (should’ve been called “Playing […]
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They say jazz great Charlie Parker would go to a saloon, order drinks, then go to the jukebox to punch in country songs. A peer once asked, “why do you always play these silly songs?” Parker said, “listen to the stories man, it’s all about the stories.” Claudia Nygaard tells stories that Parker would probably […]
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When a relatively major artist/producer decides to record a raw stripped-down LP ala Springsteen’s “Nebraska,” it’s probably a labor of love rather than a straight-ahead commercial endeavor. But, Joe Henry, diagnosed with prostate cancer (in remission) obviously wanted to say something with special ingredients. Here, the 4-time Grammy winner’s 15th LP uses a few friends […]
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With this, Illinois-born Mike Osborn’s 3rd LP Unbroken, (Oct. 25th release Je Gagne Records), continues a journey of self-realization & inner peace. Produced by Randy Ray Mitchell the LP features John Griparic (bass), Tom Fillman (drums) & Mike (lead guitar, vocals) Mike doesn’t explore anything that hasn’t been done by other artists, i.e. — learning from […]
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What struck me about this LP is that it’s not on any major label. Then I thought maybe that’s good. Freedom. No business B/S. And so, recorded in Nashville, TN the 11-track “Play The Hits,” by The Mavericks. If nothing else it’s an excellently performed (Drops Nov 1st — Mono Mundo) document of what inspired them 30 […]
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Cape Cod singer Kathleen Healy takes a road less traveled by many who are preoccupied with a more popular approach to their music. Commerciality. Years ago, many female-specific singers braved headier subjects. Norma Tanega, Ruthann Friedman, Melanie Safka, Judee Sill, & others. There are singers today that do try equally to sing of family, misplaced […]
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Set for Nov. 1st release vocalist/pianist Lynne Taylor’s Shades of Blue, (Independent) is a musical canvass with songs that are hopeful & uplifting, with social & personal awareness. Taylor, like some, writes with intelligence. She doesn’t need the showboat. There are vintage Americana, hymn-like moments, & qualities similar to past contemporary singers. The difference? Her […]
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With a 9th solo LP Rebirth (Independent – Drops Oct 30), this remarkable Canadian singer-songwriter Coco Love Alcorn explores gratification, vulnerability, forgiveness, short-term obsessions, self-doubt, spirituality, & rebirth itself in her soulful deeply expressive songs. This woman has a pied piper voice – it attracts listeners. It caresses like Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae, Mary Wells, […]
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