Author: John Apice

Southern Alabama’s Molly Thomas & the Rare Birds’ Honey’s Fury is an album 4-years’ in the making — & features 12 diversified swamp pop songs. Members have been associated with other well-known artists through their careers. Many colorful words have been used to describe their talents. But this LP is driven by Molly Thomas (acoustic guitar, […]

 Concord Records – Review by John Apice I saw the Grammy Award winner Keb’Mo’ (Kevin Moore) the first time in 1996. He wore a brown fedora, button-down vest, acoustic guitar, wry cool smile, personable, likable, & working a different side of the street from other hat slingers: Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Leon Redbone & Buddy […]

With the first notes the opener “Grinnin’” from Wisconsin’s Tim Buchanan with Dusk … And on His Own (Cutch of Memory Enterprises) starts a 9-track LP that sounds promising in the spirit of country-rock innovator Gram Parsons. However, the majority of this collaboration is evident only here. Tim, rhythm/lead guitar/vocal; Amos Pitsch, bass; Tyler Ditter, lead/rhythm guitar; […]

While I seldom focus on young adult music, I must admit Sean McCollough’s 3rd album Earworm (Little Thing Records) is engaging and melodic. Sean is a fixture in the Appalachian folk & Americana scenes. The LP has 15 musicians and that doesn’t count the children’s chorus. So, while the list of musicians is too numerous to […]

It’s not often I hear a pop-oriented band of young musician’s tackle politics lyrically and with finesse. With no fear of addressing current events this group drapes it all in a cross between Beatlesque arrangements, Bob Dylan early 60’s political lyrical settings with words not ordinarily pop lyrical. The creativity on the opening track “Undress,” […]

My 1965 discovery of J.J. Cale started as a kid. I bought a Liberty 45 of “It’s a Go-Go Place,” at 15 years old in Woolworths. Leon Russell produced. I played it until the grooves went white. But couldn’t find more. I waited. Then Grasshopper with “One Step Ahead of the Blues” on it. I […]

I was familiar with Russ Tolman when he played with the 80’s band True West and became more curious with his solo work. Particularly his 1990 LP – Goodbye Joe. On it, an incredible little catchy melodic rocker called “Marla Jane” infected my ears. Since then, Russ released many LPs and 2019 finds Russ with […]

There is an ambiance to “Blue Sky Moon,” the opening instrumental track of Sweden’s Daniel Norgren’s first worldwide release – Wooh Dang (Superpuma Records). Recording since 2007 – Daniel is not fresh out of the gate. However, for those who remember, this music is similar in approach to a fine 70’s folk-rock-singer-songwriter Shawn Phillips. He […]