Bob Marovich’s Gospel Picks
Our BOB MAROVICH reaches back a few years to appraise two overlooked albums of meditative acoustic gospel music by guitarist EL McMEEN and a duo effort by McMeen with ED MAINA adding woodwind support.
David McGee
He Knows the History, He Knows the Blues
It's the real blues, resonant and rooted in history with a modern sensibility, and with its release YOUNG RELL has the most audacious debut of the year. The 19-year-old Mississippi native knows blues, he knows history, and how it does show.
Oh, The Stories They Can Tell
LANCE COWAN breathes rare air, TREY HENSLEY offers a songwriting master class, RICK SHEA travels far and wide and unforgettably, DAVE THOMAS takes the blues very personally...
Being About Journeys
On new albums chronicling journeys physical and spiritual, TINSLEY ELLIS, MICHAEL DINALLO , and RICK VITO beckon us to walk a mile in their shoes. Their artistry, their soul, might take the edge off troubled times.
Beautifully Wrought, Intensely Serious
ROBERT HUGILL appraises a long-overdue tribute to an overlooked British songwriter, MADELEINE DRING, by KITTY WHATELY and JULIUS DRAKE, judging it to be "Beautifully Wrought, Intensely Serious"
Bob Marovich’s Gospel Picks
Personal spiritual reflections are in order for BRI BABINEAUX and JOHN P. KEE on their new albums.
Taking Arvo Pärt’s ‘Holy Minimalism’ to Its Ultimate
Celebrating Arvo Pärt's 90th birthday, CELLO OCTET AMSTERDAM, offer Summa, the first-ever recording of selected works by Pärt reimagined for eight cellos, specially rearranged by the composer himself.
Fire, Fury, and Feeling for B.B. @ 100
Determined to honor the B.B. King centennial, JOE BONAMASSA assembled world-class artists to deliver their best on 32 songs spanning the range of the Blues Boy's long shadow over American music.
The Golden Era of a Castrato Sensation
Nicolini, the first major castrato to sing in London, is given an engaging tribute by Randall Scotting written for the 18th century castrato sensation
Updike at Easter, 2026 Edition
Pondering the meaning and purpose of Updike's iconic poem about Christianity's signal event, with musical interludes by REGINA VANDERJEICK, ELVIS, MAHALIA, THE SENSATIONAL NIGHTINGALES and ALBERTINA WALKER