Upstate – Abalone Listeners who enjoy the light-touch folky vocals of The Seekers with Judith Durham, the early Fairport Convention with Sandy Denny (“Who Knows Where the Time Goes”) & with Strawbs (“All I Need Is You”) will find this Upstate to their liking. Not as classically provocative as October Project with Mary Fahl or […]
Mike Hurley – First Songs The handsome fellow on this debut January 1964 album was none other than the eccentric, lifelong troubadour & “outsider folk” artist Michael Hurley (1941-2025), aka Snock, also known as the Godfather of the freak folk movement. Mike paved an unconventional path over a 6-decade career & despite many LPs, this […]
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Eliot Bronson – Arrive This Atlanta-based independent singer-songwriter has striking, beautifully crafted melodies with a bracing vocal style akin to the early Emit Rhodes. Rhodes released 2 albums in the ’70s with all the melodic zeal & instrumental craft of Paul McCartney & Rhodes played all the instruments on his albums. The two opening tracks […]
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Kelley Smith – Flowers This is Ms. Smith’s sophomore album & with her quirky yet appealing voice, she unravels emotive tales of her elders & children, universal sorrows & love. In the opening song, “Little Match Girl,” her intonation & phrasing echo the late Townes Van Zandt as she narrates the lyrics. Good stuff. While […]
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Dismantlists – Evidence This work is more ambient, with a post-Robert Fripp & Eno feel mixed liberally with modern classical influences. It creates an aural atmosphere that may go into the ears but will prickle the senses. It’s indulgent, benevolent, & ambitious, with the ability to stimulate the imagination if you allow it. This 7-track […]
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Brian Lisik …Presents The Slovak Club This Akron-based rocker has some good ideas embedded in his simple tunes that at times sound as if they were recorded while Brian Lisik (vocals/electric & acoustic guitars/percussion) was on a torture-rack being stretched to his ultimate vocal range. Interesting. His voice isn’t the most appealing, but he has […]
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Jamie Kindleyside – Would You Live With Me On Mars? One thing is sure: Massachusetts-born Jamie (acoustic guitar/vocal) has a distinctive, quirky voice that works well in the musical realm he resides in. John Prine & Steve Goodman characteristics. Nice atmospheric Americana, not too rural, not too folky or country, but just right. The title […]
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Eddie 9V Down Here Atlanta’s Eddie 9V’s (vocals/guitar/12-string acoustic guitar) custom is to fill his bag of music with blues, soul, R&R, country & gospel. He succeeded. The “sound” channels the spirit of Muscle Shoals & the old Atlantic Records mortar. Gritty guitar, a thick groove & sweet vibe with Southern fried swagger, rowdiness & […]
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Dudley Taft – Fire Horse For the intense music this LP represents, the cover art is a little juvenile. I say this because the interior portraits of Dudley Taft in the 12pp lyric insert were exceptional for a cover. Alright, I got the criticism out of the way. Now onto what’s good about this. Musically, […]
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Project Blues – Drivin’ Home To Carrie’s Café The project features several singers: Guy Forsyth, Karen Lovely, Tom Holland, & Sean Carney. Each decorates with diversified vocals, which make for an interesting ride since they sang 12 tunes while Drivin’ Home To Carrie’s Café (Dropped Sept. 5/Bear In the Chair Records/51:16). Project Blues bus in […]
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