Her Songs, Her Voice, Her Guitar…Her Life

On Stage: MARY GAUTHIER came solo acoustic to Hill Country in New York City and mesmerized a near-sellout audience.
by David McGee
 

 
 

World Without End, Amen

GREAT BIG WORLD contains simply too many inspired performances to be anything but a blessing, apart from it being one of TONY TRISCHKA's showcase moments as a banjo titan and band leader without peer.
by David McGee
 

 

 

If Ever There Were a Needed Time…

ERIC BIBB's powerful BLUES PEOPLE, inspired by the work and words of DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, espouses racial harmony in soulful tones, while underscoring how much work towards that ideal remains.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Philosopher Ascendant

AL BASILE brings his voice, his cornet and his songwriting skills to bear most impressively on a new album that speaks to respect for those who came before even as it addresses contemporary issues.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A World Strange Yet Familiar

SHINING SHORE explores THREE NOTCH'D ROAD: THE VIRGINIA BAROQUE ENSEMBLE's own heritage, presenting music from the 17th to the 19th centuries that would have been heard in Virginia.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Kind Of, Sort Of…No, Really Good. Exceptional, Even.

Joanne Shaw Taylor’s artistic growth continues unabated since her dramatic debut in 2008 with White Sugar. Her third solo long player, Almost Always Never, is another triumph,. one of the best blues albums of 2012.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Poetry, and The Poet, Within

One of the finest bluegrass singer-songwriters extant, DONNA ULISSE pays homage to the artists that inspired her on SHOWIN' MY ROOTS.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Stirring the Heart, Captivating the Mind

The young order of contemplative nuns based in Missouri and known as BENEDICTINES OF MARY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES stir the heart and captivate the mind on EASTER AT EPHESUS.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Zito Doctrine

Moving forward from the blunt confessions of 'Gone to Texas,' MIKE ZITO, working with producer TOM HAMBRIDGE, lets 'er rip in glorious fashion on the incendiary MAKE BLUES NOT WAR, one of 2016's best.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Being About the Persistence of Love

At long last, 83-year-old MARY LANE asserts herself at the forefront of contemporary blues with TRAVELIN' WOMAN, her record of a lifetime and of hanging in and hanging on to love, body, soul and heart intact.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Considering Historical Conflict & Conflicted History

JASON RINGENBERG offers a reckoning with history on his 18th solo album, RHINESTONED, featuring the Freedom Riders, Crazy Horse, Jesus Christ and, in spirit, Hank Williams, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, the Carter Family and T...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Jammin’ On the High Seas

Originally given away free as a collectible to patrons of the annual Rhythm & Blues Cruise , Robert Mugge’s hour-and-a-half documentary offers an in-depth look at the fabled after-hours jams sessions aboard ship, when...
by David McGee