A Paean to Living, Remembering, Carrying On, Moving Forward

The pieces on this expertly produced Open G Records disc ask the listener not only to absorb the complexities of the sonic layers but also to consider their meaning.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Exuding the Joy of Connection Through Music

FRANCESCA DEGO's exceptional album of concerti by NICCOLO PAGANINI and ERMANNO WOLF-FERRARI merits an exceptional review by JOSEPH NEWSOME
by David McGee
 

 

 

Undaunted

On WE RISE UP, RAVEN AND RED confront all manner of romantic debacle and emerge undaunted. Attention must be paid to these young artists.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Staying the Course

On CARTER STANLEY'S EYES, PETER ROWAN journeys into his deepest roots in bluegrass and folk. That's what happens when you stick with it.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Church Aphorisms and Mother Wit in Abundance

Still singing songs packed with church aphorisms and mother wit, some of BEVERLY CRAWFORD's most memorable moments are captured on THE ESSENTIAL-VOL 2
by David McGee
 

 
 

If It Weren’t for Good Luck…

On this, his 18th long player, Chris Smither emphasizes—then re-emphasizes--the irony of the collection’s title while taking interesting detours into vintage classics.
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘Snoop, Let’s Take ’em To Church!’

SNOOP DOGG promised his new label would offer opportunities for gospel artists, and he delivers, mightily, on that promise on SNOOP DOGG PRESENTS BIBLE OF LOVE
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Heart, The Inscrutable Heart

On A HEART NEVER KNOWS, Ohio's PRICE SISTERS may have lessons to impart about teleportation, so authentic is their otherworldliness.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Inner Light

The thirty-ninth album of his career may be JOHN MCCUTCHEON's finest yet. The storytelling is vivid and moving, the music is appropriately nuanced, the singing heartfelt and engaging. Let GHOST LIGHT take hold.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Intimate and Finely Judged

The mystery of ORLANDO BLOOM's 17th Century consort anthems persists, but his work lives anew and in beauty in CHAINS OF GOLD by the MAGDALENA CONSORT, FRETWORK and HIS MAJESTYS SAGBUTTS and CORNETTS
by David McGee
 

 

 

Let Us Now Praise Infamous Men

The pen and musicianship of the legendary JOHN MENDLESSOHN have brought us ISAMBARD JONES & HIS ORCHESTRA, wherein the absurdist meets the British Music Hall.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Orpheus, Don’t Look Back

GRAYSON CAPPS's Scarlett Roses is an epic vision of life, love and struggle in the here and now. It is some kind of masterpiece.
by David McGee