Tested In the Furnace of Affliction

SAM BUTLER, former lead guitarist with the Blind Boys of Alabama, makes his solo debut with a most unusual spiritual album--with songs by Springsteen, Waits, Curtis Mayfield, Johnny Cash, et al.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Master In His Element, On Key, On Time & Wed To the Truth

Buddy Guy has been playing hot guitar for decades now, but the irony of his BORN TO PLAY GUITAR album is that it may well be his finest-ever set of end-to-end vocal performances.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Like the Music, He Lives On

JEFF HEALEY, a remarkable artist by any measure, exercised his passion for vintage jazz and swing in his latter years and made memorable music. A new retrospective offers a stirring overview of some peak moments.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Journey To the Healing Moment

Bluegrass singer-songwriter DONNA ULISSE maintains the glide in her stride with another strong album, HARD CRY MOON
by David McGee
 

 

 

Beautiful Restraint

POESIA by JOYCE MORENO & KENNY WERNER, and MÉLANGE by KARIN & MIKE KELLEHER are cross-cultural explorations that demonstrate the power of the less-is-more approach
by David McGee
 

 
 

Fanning the Flames of Whitman’s ‘Subtle Electric Fire’

Enlisting the support of some 64 musicians and choir/session singers, GARRY DIAL and DICK OATTS have delivered a stirring, jazz-oriented musical interpretation of Walt Whitman poems.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Quoth the Bard…

AL BASILE, one of contemporary music's most literate artists, reaches new heights of eloquence and musicality on B'S EXPRESSION, with production, for the 12th time, by DUKE ROBILLARD.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Of the Earth and In the Spirit

Stepping away from the JOHN FOGERTY camp, master of the keys BOB MALONE offers MOJO DELUXE, a solo effort infused with gospel, soul and rock 'n' roll stylings and soul searching lyrics.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Of Senses Engaged and Hearts Touched

Dig a fresh, imaginative take on some Brazilian evergreens--including three by ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM--on the fascinating BRAZILIAN PROJECT by mesmerizing vocalist CATINA DELUNA and her LADO B band, featuring OTMARO RUIZ.
by David McGee
 

 
 
 

Wasn’t That a Time?

In 1966 BOB DYLAN recorded BLONDE ON BLONDE in Nashville and the floodgates opened. A new double-CD collection documents some great music made in Nashville from the mid-'60s through the early '70s.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Extra-Savory Bluegrass

The finest in contemporary bluegrass is coming to you from Mobile, Alabama's DELTA REIGN. The band is back, following up its superb Calm Before the Storm with another top-notch outing, NOTHING BUT SKY.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Of Life and Hearts in the Balance

The earth and the hearts of people living on it are in the balance in the potent songs on IAN TYSON's memorable new album, CARNERO VAQUERO. It's a Tyson classic.
by David McGee