Dustin Arbuckle & The Damnations – Fight Like the Devil or Run Like Hell If Tom Waits tossed together a sweet heat of bottled-up blues, it would sound something like Dustin Arbuckle (lead vocal/harmonica). “Heaven Forbid” (I would meet you in hell). What a percolating line to open an album with. The song includes some […]
Section House – New Horse & Buggy The Grateful Dead were not a bluegrass outfit, but their leader Jerry Garcia was an aficionado of the music. First listen to Section House’s instrumental (“In Rut”) makes me think of Garcia when he played with the likes of David Grisman & Old & In the Way. It […]
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The Jayhawks Sanctuary Park I didn’t have time to write this review. But when I looked on the Americana Highways “to be reviewed” spreadsheet and saw the Jayhawks were releasing Sanctuary Park on Aug. 28, I signed up anyway. I made time. And I’m glad I did. I’ve been blown away with each listen. It’s […]
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The Bird Calls “Take Leave” Everyone has to grow up sometime (or that’s what they keep telling me – unsuccessfully, it would seem). But making music fights that life commandment at every turn. Writing lyrics and recording songs for money (because everyone needs to eat) seems a fool’s errand, especially in a time where virtually […]
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Austin, Texas-based outfit Hill Country Revival unveils their debut album, A Place Much Better, a collection of songs fusing elements of Southern rock with tints of red dirt country. Grammy-nominated producer David Percefull oversaw the project, which was recorded at yellow DOG Studios in San Marcos, Texas. Formed in 2016, Hill Country Revival is made […]
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Gerry Beckley – Merciful Sometimes pensive music can be penetrating. Former multi-platinum member of America (“A Horse With No Name”) multi-instrumentalist & vocalist Gerry Beckley is exceptional with reflective, melodic songs that explore relationships, moving boundaries as we age, savoring old ideas, uncovering unfinished compositions, & dusting off old songs & pairing them with new […]
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Heather Anne Lomax – Who Do You Think You Are Bordering on but not quite in the vocal realm of Genya Ravan (Ten-Wheel Drive’s “Morning Much Better”) & other muscular female vocalists with a bluesy tinge, Heather Anne Lomax has a good, reliable presentation. What she lacks is a bit of the intense bluesy soul […]
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Little Bihlman Heavy Head Scot “Little” Bihlman, an Emmy-winning musician, songwriter, and actor from Los Angeles, has released a new album called Heavy Head. Bihlman explains, “My music is about the human condition. It speaks to the struggles and triumphs of the journey we’re all on. I hope people get a deeper sense of connection […]
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Danielle Nicole – Fireflies The soulfulness in this opener is traditionally old-school with the walking bassline, but Danielle Nicole infuses it with a propulsive personality & the female backup sweetens the deal on “Radical Love.” There are 11 twinkling lights in the distance on Fireflies (Drops Aug 28/Forty Below Records/48:31) produced by Tony Braunagel (drums/percussion) […]
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The Waterboys – Atlantic Rain – The Lost Fisherman’s Blues Recordings This is a classy first-rate package, refined & decorative with accessories that include a beautiful 54pp perfect-bound book with credits, lyrics, liner notes, photography & prestigious artwork. All in a slipcase & die-cut 6-panel heavy cardboard booklet. Years ago, The Waterboys emerged as a […]
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