Run Katie Run – Running On Love This Atlanta-based quintet draws from varied wells of music & admirably. The lead-off energetic commercial track “15-Minutes” is actually lifted from a comment made by artist Andy Warhol that alleges everyone will be famous for 15-minutes. Musically, this is a modern-day approach that is marginally rooted in Americana, […]
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Cole Quest and the City Pickers – Self [En]Titled – 6-Song EP This is a New York City Americana collective fronted by the grandson of folk legend Woody Guthrie & made up of city musicians playing what? Bluegrass? The eclectic pickers join Woody’s grandson Cole Quest Rotante & perform his originals, a few crucial covers & […]
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Jesse Aycock To my ears, this sounds a bit dated but after 2 listens to Tulsa’s quirky country-folk vocalist Jesse Aycock – he does indeed possess interesting songs & the performances are excellent. It’s basically pop music with lots of melodic kitsch with heavy-duty musical breaks ala Klaatu – remember them? More pop sugar follows on […]
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Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Dance Songs for Hard Times Unfortunately, another album made under the influence of the pandemic. Fortunately, not a bellyaching cry baby one but a relevant CD that conveyed the fears & hopes of people affected by having to live with financial challenges, the loss of friends & loved ones. […]
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Jenna Torres – All Heart It used to be a joke to say someone from NY was releasing a country LP. What does a New Yorker know about country music? Not anymore…not if a Jenna Torres is nearby. On the 1st of her 8-cut CD All Heart (Released Feb 17/Independent) the song’s just hair below […]
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Lauren Murphy – Psychedelics Recorded in Mobile, Alabama this 8-cut by Ms. Murphy is her debut. Psychedelics (Independent – Dropped March). It opens with “Time Across,” which shows potential for Ms. Murphy as a jazz singer. Her intonation, phrasing & tone are excellent. The lead guitars/slide guitars (by 3 musicians Mark Karan, John Cochran, & […]
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Mackenzie Shivers – Rejection Letter While the first cut (“Afraid”) doesn’t exactly ignite like an accelerant Mackenzie Shivers does provide dynamics in her arrangement with orchestrations, & fine vocals. But cut 2 (“The Roses”) has more of an attractive flavor vocally, melodically & the musicianship is heavy like sweet cream. Followed by a rockier “Martha’s […]
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Strawbs – Settlement Beginning as they always do with a slow tease of intense melody & compelling words then whipping into a full thrust mellotron & folky acoustic guitar as no other band does – Dave Cousins (lead vocals-acoustic guitars) & The Strawbs return with a new studio CD Strawbs – Settlement (Esoteric Antenna/Cherry Red-Dropped […]
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The Sound Field – This Moment of the Storm 12-cuts fill this San Francisco band’s new CD This Moment of the Storm (Rocker Chick Media/Released March). It opens with “It’s About Time,” & with a unique voice Deborah Grabien (electric guitars/Baglama Saz) puts forth her creative delivery. While the material itself is nothing new musically […]
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Jon Klages – Fabulous Twilight Hoboken scene veteran, & grandson of famed bandleader Enoch Light — Jon Klages’ captures the vocal magic & pastiche that was once a rock FM late-night radio staple pioneered by the late Kenny Rankin – 1974’s “Silver Morning,” that was all over FM radio that year. Especially the Klages’ beautiful […]
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