There’s a challenge to any new collection with both good qualities & borderline material. Tom Sless’ vocals have an attractive quality; the instrumentation is proficient & the music well-written. It’s the lyrics that are a bit pedestrian. The former NJ resident & now LA-based Tom Sless debuts his California Dream (Marina Vista Records-drops March 27) & […]
One of the most reliable musical traditions is the work of the singer-songwriter. They weave stories through their music & distinctive lyrics. David Wilcox, Chris Robison, Marc Cohen, John Wesley Harding, Joe Henry – just to name a few of the lesser-known remarkable names. Now, Nashville-based Chris Moyes fits comfortably with these articulate writers. His […]
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I looked forward to this LP when I saw it came from Landslide Records. Back in the 80s, they released many fine LPs — one of my favorites was a rare 1983 solo LP (Middle of the Night) by one of their producers Bruce Baxter that was excellent. While some of the guitar tunings sound […]
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Sometimes duet LPs work, sometimes they don’t. Carla Olson’s 2nd volume of duets Have Harmony, Will Travel Vol 2 (Sunset Blvd Records-drops March 20) succeeds on many levels. I respect the efforts here by artists not usually of this genre. Some sound exceptional. Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits) is one. His “Goodbye My Love,” – a […]
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The way I get into a blues LP & pull the goods from it is to listen with a cigar, pair of shades & glass of bourbon. Ryan Perry’s 11-track Ruf Records LP (drops March 13) High Risk, Low Reward, is worthy of a double-shot. Skeptic since it was recorded in Berlin, Germany I realized […]
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Released March 6th this interesting 9-track collection of “love” songs trace 9 different breakups from the artist’s past. Curiously Emily looks back without anger – and with the help of the formidable producer Eric “Roscoe” Ambel (The Del-Lords), Ms. Duff bravely explores her wounds through this well-articulated NY recording. Having been familiar with Ms. Duff’s […]
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Having played with the likes of the late Doug Sahm, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Roky Erickson & Joe Ely, San Antonio native Will Sexton has returned to the solo spotlight after more than a decade. Now Memphis-based Will joins New Orleans vets The Iguanas & distills 10 solid roots-brewed tunes on Don’t Walk The Darkness (Big […]
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The St. Louis-based Jeremiah Johnson’s new 12-track kicks off with a good southern-fried track punctuated by some punchy sax (Frank Bauer) & Jeremiah’s roller-coaster lead guitar. “White Lightning,” has that tradition of Ohio’s J.D. Blackfoot (“The Ultimate Prophecy”) but lacks his dynamic commanding voice. But — Jeremiah has character & good tonality in his own […]
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Phoenix, Arizona’s Dom Flemons, a multi-instrumentalist vocalist & writer — is a unique musical personality. Part Leon Redbone, part Keb’ Mo & part Dom Flemons himself. Among his talents is a rich blend of Americana old-time music, Piedmont blues (like Blind Willie McTell), & neotraditional country (C&W – George Jones). Known as the “American Songster,” […]
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With some winsome rugged vocals, the Dave Goddess Group at least gets out of the starting gate with some genuine doses of rock planted in a rootsy soil. With no posturing, yet evocative of some past bands that had success with this formula & respect, Goddess follows the map carefully. I hear the dynamics of […]
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