Van Duren & Good Question – Cartwheeling: Live In Memphis This impeccably recorded set was recorded live in Memphis in 1992. Though there is a ‘90s current that runs through the production it’s not retro to any degree. The pop-configuration sprouts from the melodic seedlings of the late Dwight Twilley, with legitimate big production dalliances […]
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Paul Reed Smith – Eightlock – Lions Roaring In Quicksand This musical stack is an effort produced by internationally-known guitar maker Paul Reed Smith (guitars). His team Eightlock, (“eight musicians locked together”) ignites a fresh groove of roots in Baltimore funk, DC go-go & New Orleans swing. It’s a heady brew of blues, soul, rock, […]
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Bobby Vega – What Cha Got Some musician names don’t set off alarms but have had interesting careers. San Francisco Bay area artist Bobby Vega (shark & Ribbecke basses/guitar/ukelele) could probably say he hit the ground running in his career. His first major project (1975) was recording with Sly Stone (Sly & the Family Stone). […]
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Bill Jackson – 1965 So, this will be an interesting prospect since it’ll step back into a more glorified & exciting era. When dungarees became blue jeans, white sneakers replaced two-toned saddle shoes, plain white t-shirts went tie-dyed & jugs of red table wine became quarts of Ripple & Night Train until the availability of […]
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Grooves & Cuts – October 2023 Too many reviews accumulated through the month — so I postponed this month’s article to next month. Featured Reviews:Randall Kromm – Late SeptemberSteve Cropper – With A Little Help From My FriendsChest Fever – Music From Big PinkZach Berkman – The Heart Of Zach BerkmanBen Gage – Two Singing […]
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Catbells – Partly Cloudy This endeavor leans into a dream-pop semblance. That’s to say it isn’t heavily roots-folk or traditionally oriented. Yet, the effort by alter-ego Catbells (multi-instrumentalist) is an interesting offering. The young lady is almost like a female supplement to the wonderful Scottish band Blue Nile with its tranquil showcase. Soft, dreamy, misty […]
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Leon Rosselson – Chronicling The Times I’ve been at this too long – I thought this would be some elder statesman folk singer pontificating about every hardship since 1900. But his voice sounds like an older Noel Harrison (“Suzanne,” “Life Is a Dream” & “The Windmills of Your Mind”). He’s actually quite good. When I […]
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Randy Lee Riviere – Blues Sky Old world country with a modern edge & textures of Johnny Bond (“Hot Rod Lincoln,” “X-15”). The guitars bite & the groove is steady & well-chiseled. The music is rooted in blues/rock & recorded in Franklin, TN. Riviere (guitars/vocals) is more narrator than singer on “America Redoubt,” & that’s […]
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The Rockford Mules – The Last Camaro This is a slim set from the Twin Cities music scene band The Rockford Mules — playing together since 2005 & perhaps earlier. They’ve released 3 full-length LPs & this is their first new music in 12 years. Their zealous 70s-style rock is somewhat of a reunion & […]
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Robert Finley – Black Bayou Most blues aficionados often settle for any talent today that may perform the genre well but stay within the confines of the classics or well-known tunes. Not Robert Finley. This fellow composes his own rootsy vintage stylized originals. It’s like discovering a whole batch of excellent blues never heard before. […]
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