Confession – I didn’t know until a few months ago that the Dropkick Murphys’ whiskey and clover-engorged banger “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” was based on a scrap of a poem by…Woody Guthrie. Turns out, the Boston boys’ connection to the Oklahoma bard runs long and deep, from a blistering, siren-filled cover of “Gonna Be […]
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Dirty Streets – Who’s Gonna Love You Kicking off with a nod to vintage bands like Foghat, Black Oak Arkansas, Wet Willie, the James Gang & pinch of Humble Pie this rollicking ass-kicking Memphis-based retro-tinged unit at least knows how to light a musical fire. This is their 7th studio album produced by Grammy Award […]
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The Deer’s Cry – Heal the Heart This is the 2nd Deer’s Cry’s collection, a band that shuffles around in the conventions often occupied by the likes of Clannad, Altan, Peter Gabriel, the 1970s Magna Carta & other Celtic-oriented folk-rock ensembles. Singer Karen Ballew (harp/harmonium) has the same ethereal quality as Maire Brennan & later […]
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Dr. John – Things Happen That Way I remember the early days — Dr. John the Night Tripper (1941-2022). Peculiar voice, outlandish fashion, with eccentric originality. “This isn’t going to last long.” Ah…but he did. He started to have hits “Right Place, Wrong Time,” & “Such a Night,” (not the Elvis song). What Dr. John […]
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Rachel McIntyre Smith – Glory Daze EP This young lady is clearly a vocal descendent of Allison Krauss with a gentle country-sweet toned innocent approach. Her intonation is beautiful & she makes the lyrics resonate with feeling. At first, I thought this would be another independent effort that would be good but like so many […]
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Johanna Lillvik – The Love Hate Syndrome This CD may take an effort to purchase but it’s worth hunting down. When reviewing work I listen carefully to every cut to highlight the stand-outs. What did I find? I found all of Sweden’s Johanna Lillvik’s 12 songs intriguing, compelling & creative. Her exciting original melodic thrust […]
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Crystal Shawanda has a new record, Midnight Blues, due to be released on September 30 via True North Records. Midnight Blues was produced by Dewayne Strobel; engineered by Dewayne Strobel with assistant engineer Zhaawande Strobel. It was mixed by Dewayne Strobel, Ross Collier, and Benny Quinn; and mastered by Benny Quinn. Crystal is a Canadian […]
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Jessica Lynn – Lone Rider Opening with a radiating intro on “Now Or Never,” the tune reminds me of the excitement in Kellie Pickler’s “Red High Heels,” that skidded through my speakers with a Keith Richards-type guitar riff. Jessica Lynn’s (acoustic guitars/piano) music isn’t as sweet & poppy as most contemporary country singers. Jessica’s borders […]
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Because of her health problems, Joni Mitchell hasn’t issued any newly recorded material since 2007’s Shine, but that doesn’t mean nothing has been released since then. On the contrary, in just the last couple of years, we’ve witnessed the appearance of a flood of CDs. Archives, Vol. 1: The Early Years delivered five discs’ worth […]
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Chris Berardo & The Desberardos – American Dust Taking a cue from stylizations by John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen & a nip from Bon Jovi, Chris Berardo (vocals/percussion/harmonica) gives a credible accounting with his 1997 recorded songs but breaks no new ground. That’s probably why his success had limitations. Initially recorded in NY & Connecticut the […]
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