Let the Hard Times Roll…

It's always a good year for the blues when JOHN PRIMER surfaces on record. His latest, TOUGH TIMES is one of his finest.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Christmas Story For All Seasons, And For The Ages

From its opening hosanna, 'I See the Light of the World' to its closing exaltation, 'Morning In Bethlehem,' DONNA ULISSE's song cycle All The Way to Bethlehem is not merely close to perfect, it's a work of art. An instant seaso...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Very Mary Indeed

Unquestionably the top new Christmas release of 2013, A MARY CHRISTMAS, the DAVID FOSTER-produced holiday long player from MARY J. BLIGE, is an instant soul Christmas classic.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Love Remembered, In the Heart and On the Front Lines

In a selection of songs by British composers of the first 50 years of the 20th Century,mezzo-soprano KATHRYN RUDGE, with pianist JAMES BAILLIEU, uncover some lost gems and revitalize familiar ones.
by David McGee
 

 

 

You Have Come to The World. I Pour Out Praise for You.

BENEDICTINES OF MARY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES have created their third classic Christmas album in CAROLING AT EPHESUS. All proceeds go the order's building projects.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Chronicling a Spiritual Exodus from Modern-Day Anxieties

One of the first great albums of 2019, GOSHEN, by DONALD LAWRENCE PRESENTS THE TRI-CITY SINGERS, is a concept album ranging from worship songs to topical numbers to rages against the machine--and the power of faith.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Bluegrass Speaks to The Moment

A bluegrass trifecta: three new albums, by DALE ANN BRADLEY, THE DILLARDS and PHIL LEADBETTER AND THE ALL STARS OF BLUEGRASS (featuring Steve Gulley) all speak to the moment, addressing a variety of current hot-button issues in...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Ascending: Jazz Trios

Two fine albums by two of the finest jazz trios extant, led by DAVE STRYKER and ANDY PRATT.
by David McGee
 

 

 

At The Summit

Recorded live at the historic Bell Theater in Pineville, Kentucky, CHRISTMAS THE MOUNTAIN WAY is a bluegrass celebration of the Yuletide's true meaning, with a first-rate lineup of traditional bluegrass artists in peak form. Ma...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Yes, We Have No Reservations

Welcome to Hotel Souza, wherein KAREN SOUZA introduces eight new original classic pop-styled tunes and three tasty covers with a modern twist
by David McGee
 

 

 

Big Brass Ones for Christmas

On its fifth holiday album, CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE, CANADIAN BRASS honors the music of animated Yule favorites and the arrangements of LUTHER HENDERSON and BRANDON RIDENOUR.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Ain’t That Good News? Man, Ain’t That News!?

Fresh off being named Best Guitarist at the 35th annual Blues Music Awards in Memphis in early May, Ronnie Earl delivers a most personal and moving album in Good News,
by David McGee