Choogling On
Sagacious, well-traveled harp master Pierre Lacocque and his Chicago-based Mississippi Heat blues band offer Delta Bound, a thoroughly delightful hour of blues in various colors.
David McGee
Between Rock and a Traditional Place
Lisa Matassa's impressive EP Somebody's Baby is not for country traditionalist, but fans of contemporary arena-style mainstream country will find much to admire in the rock-fueled anthems, but there is evidence here of a sensitive singer-songwriter lurking in this impressive artist.
Whither Passionate Kisses?
Boston-based Juliet and the Lonesome Romeos make a favorable impression on their debut album, No Regrets, by serving up pop-country with a bite. The long player shows Juliet Simmons Dinallo to be a songwriter with immense promise--and she can sell a song vocally too.
Of Dark Hearts and Lethal Consequences
The Earl Brothers are back with their dark-hearted bluegrass--like no other bluegrass known to humankind--on Outlaw Hillbilly. Our Album of the Week selection chronicles the Bay Area band's continuing crafting of one of the most unusual catalogues in contemporary music.
Ready for the Long Haul
J.D. Crowe has retired, but his last incarnation of the New South soldiers on, quite impressively, as American Drive. The quartet's self-titled debut album shows it to be ready for the long haul.
Alicia Olatuja: Inauguration Day Heat
Unheralded in a lineup of superstars, ALICIA OLATUJA became the big news of the 2013 Presidential Inauguration ceermonies with her rousing solo on 'Battle Hymn of the Republic' while singing with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Herewith a background report on Ms. Olatuja and excerpts from…
The Quiet Heroism of ‘Right Living’
Contributing editor MICHAEL SIGMAN reflects on the recent fall of 'self-appointed heroes' and the virtues of 'quietly going about one's business.'
News & Notes – January 2013
In NEWS & NOTES: Gospel stalwarts unite on single to benefit MY SANDY HOOD FUND; 'CHINA BEACH' finally set for DVD release; BLAKE SHELTON consigned to Dunce's Corner, as RAY PRICE speaks out against ignorance; two SERENA MATTHEWS songs on soundtrack of new film.
Karl Jenkins: The Path To ‘Peacemakers’
EXCLUSIVE: One of our Album of the Year honorees for his epic choral work The Peacemakers, composer/conductor/multi-instrumentalist Karl Jenkins discusses the making and meaning of the album, and his unusual career path.
When Patti Page Left Her Mark On Me
WHEN PATTI PAGE LEFT HER MARK ON ME: A sweet childhood memory of a chance encounter with Patti Page--radiant, with a scent of roses--in front of her parents' home in Tulsa. By David McGee