Big Harp George – No Shortcuts This San Francisco-based conglomeration gets off to a rousing, bluesy, swing-big band start with the breezily attractive Big Harp George harmonica in a Big Band setting. That’s different. The harmonica gives way to 2 distinct sax solos, then the harmonica returns with smoke on “Come Out Swinging,” & it […]
Donna Herula – Cold Feet This blues set with Chicago-born Donna Herula has no dust, little vintage lineage & antiquated mixtures of the genre to invigorate it. Instead, the bluesy austerity is pristine, with Donna’s slide work (“On My Way Home”) & electric guitar comfortably prominent. Vocally, there’s no harshness, but there’s attitude. Some tunes […]
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It’s time for AMERICANAFEST 2026! I’m highlighting some must-sees for anyone else who’s making the trek to Nashville September 15-19, as well as sharing my choices for the Americana Awards (to be held Wednesday evening at the Ryman Auditorium). My ground rules for the musts – they have to be folks I haven’t seen […]
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Want to hear how the Grateful Dead sounded in concert before its members conquered the world? If so, your best bet is July 3, 1966, Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA, which was released on the 60th anniversary of the event. The album preserves a show from only about a year after the group (then called […]
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Steve Robinson and Ed Woltil Temporary Sun (Sunshine Drenchy Records) Considered their third release, you might be one of a lucky few if you’re even familiar with either Ed Woltil or Steve Robinson. However, your appreciation for music of exceptional quality will be instantly enriched if you embrace what these two passionate wunderkinds have committed […]
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Phil Madeira – The Millionth Mile Not bad. Though it follows the Americana map with themes about the road, gratitude, friendship & making music. Yawn? But wait. Phil has a distinctive voice; the musicians have a crisp approach & the lyrics aren’t trite at all despite a few cliches. Phil’s been around the barn a […]
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This is Lorelei The Singer in My Band As This Is Lorelei, singer-songwriter Nate Amos largely works on his own, producing and performing nearly everything on his latest record, The Singer in My Band. The songs, though, seem to emanate from a wagon full of oddball characters, partially reflecting Amos’ own time in tour vans, […]
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Whitey Johnson – Live From Printer’s Alley For a live recording, this is impressively pristine. Every note is clearly detected & Whitey Johnson (guitar/vocal) is captured with distinction. The Reese Wyans piano (who also plays the Hammond B3 organ) is saloon crisp & accentuates perfectly on the opening number “Livin’ It Down.” Johnson isn’t a […]
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J.D. Crowe & The New South – The New South – 50th Anniversary This is a remastered collection of the influential bluegrass LP produced by J.D. Crowe (1937-2021/banjo/guitar/baritone vocals) with Ricky Scaggs (mandolin/fiddle/viola/tenor vocals) & recorded in Maryland in Jan. 1975. This set also updates the musician’s credits. The tunes are old-fashioned now, but the […]
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The 5th Dimension’s original lineup has been compared to the Mamas and the Papas, whose songs it occasionally covered. Both were vocal groups, both featured male and female singers, both achieved major commercial success, and their heydays overlapped. But important differences explain why the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted the Mamas and the […]
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