Author: John Apice

December Friend – Splendor Never Dies This collection has a pop edge in the tradition of the old 70s English bands like Stackridge, Korgis, Klaatu & New Muzik. With their upbeat, melodic storytelling style it’s actually refreshing since it’s modernized & contemporary. It’s rock’s easy listening. Produced by Jeff Victor & John Wlaysewski the 43-minute […]

The Scarlet Goodbye – Hope’s Eternal While not as brightly vocal as the Everly Brothers as a duo, Jeff Arundel & Daniel D. Murphy fall between The Eagles, Foster & Brooks & Blackhawk. There is an edginess under the surface & even with their high-pitched vocal treatment, they whip out some effective aggressive melodies (“Panic […]

Michael Johnathon – Garden of Silence Twenty albums deep would solidify the fact that Hudson Valley-born folk singer Michael Johnathon has a loyal following. With the first strains of his latest accomplishment, the acoustic guitars chime confidently & the mature songwriting is original & has lots of sustenance. Both opening songs are beautiful. “Garden of […]

Tipps & Obermiller – Love (and Other Mysteries) This is the debut album of this duo of Hilary Tipps & Steve Obermiller & it’s an interesting, light-hearted collection of 11 songs produced by Stefan Prigmore, Hilary & Steve. Track 2 “Rewind, Repeat,” spills from the speakers in a Broadway-soundtrack type imaginative production since the melody […]

Ally Venable – Real Gone With so many blues songs & artists it’s hard to produce something that even hints at originality. While there are some songs on this 42-minute CD that are basic blues there’s lots of skating originality here that’s tasteful, well-executed & leaves behind a trail of sparks. Some young folks play […]

Soulgrass featuring Billy Ray Lathum – Nobody Knows Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductee & banjo player the late Billy Ray Lathum (Kentucky Colonels/the Dillards) appears on this CD which features his last recordings with Soulgrass. This album celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Billy joining Soulgrass. These songs memorialize his involvement & contributions to the bluegrass […]

Melissa Ruth – Bones Pacific Northwest artist Melissa Ruth pieces together her vivid storytelling with songs that trace her family lineage through Canada & the life of the people in timber & mining towns that dominate her world. Though born in Western Canada, Ms. Ruth makes her home now in rural Oregon & her music […]

Doug Paisley – Say What You Like Toronto-born singer-songwriter Doug Paisley has come up with some new self-reflective tunes that were bottled up long ago, set aside & only now are ripe enough for durable ears. His first collection since 2018’s “Starter Home.” This set brings together some of the better choices from 250 unrecorded […]