Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors’ Dragons exists somewhat in a Mark Germino, Steve Earle, Buddy Miller structure & in the case of “End of the World,” a little Hootie & the Blowfish with their confection of melody & energy. With their Aug. 16th Dragons (Thirty Tigers) – the band unleashes a nice diverse stroll through adept […]
Personal & political ingredients were added to Eilen Jewell’s 8th LP Gypsy (Signature Sounds) – her first of original songs 4 years – release: August 16th. But, it’s like salt added to pasta – it may be there but it’s hard to tell. Unlike the protest atmosphere in early ’60s folk music, today’s environment is a […]
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Evergreen releases Aug. 9 — is the 6th for Americana-roots-songwriter Beth Bombara. It has moments of tequila strength (“I Only Cry When I’m Alone”), sweet wine (“Anymore”), & watered-down whiskey (“Criminal Tongue”). Now that sounds like a dig, but I’ll wear kid gloves. Good efficient ideas, performance skills, production & band circuitry are at her […]
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August 9th the late singer-songwriter Steve Goodman’s 2 posthumous LPs (Santa Ana Winds & Unfinished Business) will release in expanded reissues on Omnivore Records. With Unfinished Business, this may be more of a collection suited best for aficionados & loyalists though new fans could find something to like since it’s filled with Goodman personality. […]
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August 9th — the late singer-songwriter Steve Goodman’s 2 posthumously released LPs (Santa Ana Winds & Unfinished Business) will release as expanded reissues on Omnivore Records. The first: Santa Ana Winds was the final LP recorded prior to Steve’s passing (Sept 1984). It opens beautifully with the catchy “Face on the Cutting Room Floor,” co-written […]
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Skip the Needle – We Ain’t Never Going Back – Little Village Foundation – Review John Apice At first, I didn’t hear an Americana link. As I got further into the groove there were slithers of what made American music the influence that it is. The melodies are soulful, there’s a thread of World music. […]
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Mary Flower – Livin’ With the Blues Again – Little Village Foundation For those who like music in a vintage manner pumped full of nostalgia, authenticity & that which delivers no sediment at the bottom of its full-bodied performance – Mary Flower is authentic. The instrumental intro on this new collection – her 13th — […]
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Ben Winship – Toolshed – Snake River Records – Review by John Apice As noted in the PR — 2 full LPs is a daunting prospect. I agree. Once you get past a certain ounce of creative posturing the material becomes repetitious, even uninspired. Coke becomes Pepsi becomes Royal Crown becomes no-name brand cola. Many […]
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Ben Winship – Acorns – Snake River Records – Review by John Apice This is the 2nd of two full releases (TOOLSHED & ACORNS) by prolific Americana artist & Idaho studio owner Ben Winship. Both LPs scheduled to release July 19th. While TOOLSHED was more band-oriented, ACORNS is closer to the earth, organic, rural, more […]
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Steve Goodman – Affordable Art – Omnivore/Red Pajamas Records – Review by John Apice Omnivore Records is scheduled to release 4 remastered LPs of the late Steve Goodman (author of “The City of New Orleans”) — the first July 19th — Artistic Hair & Affordable Art & then on August 9th, Unfinished Business & Santa […]
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