And Here’s To The Life

In a long overdue tribute. pop-jazz vocalist Connie Evingson does wonderful things in honoring the lyrics of Norman Gimbel on SWEET HAPPY LIFE, this week's ALBUM OF THE WEEK. Talk about killing us softly with his songs...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Under the Skin, Into the Heart

Nashville's McCrary Sisters--progeny of Fairfield Four founding member Rev. Samuel McCrary, have issued one of this year's most uplifting and stirring statements with their second album, ALL THE WAY. They'll take you there.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Paving the Way for Those Who Paved the Way

Twenty-five superb tracks, starting in 1940, of the Mother of Gospel Music SALLIE MARTIN's early recordings, appraised as invaluable by JOURNAL OF GOSPEL MUSIC founder BOB MAROVICH
by David McGee
 

 
 

Uncaged

Veteran soul/blues/R&B singer-songwriter-guitarist JOHNNY RAWLS offers interesting perspectives on love, happiness and commitment on TIGER IN A CAGE. Soul lives.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Love in The Medici Court

From fragments of the earliest known operas as performed at the Medici court in Florence, Italy, RAPHAEL PICHON has assembled a fresh, passionate whole--a celebration of love--in the two-CD set, STRAVAGANZA D'AMORE.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Kicking It Up a Notch (or Two, or…)

KENNY 'BLUES BOSS' WAYNE comes out rockin' and rarely lets up on GO, JUST DO IT! In a tour de force performance, the Piano Hall of Fame inductee offers 10 original songs and terrific covers of two PERCY MAYFIELD tunes and a JJ ...
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Cowboy Rides Away

It is the misfortune of Lloyd Estel Copas to be better remembered for how and with whom he died than for the wonderful music he made as Cowboy Copas, in which guise he was a dominant presence on the country charts from 1946 to ...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Suave, Like Nobody’s Business

We redress a great wrong in finally reviewing RAUL MALO's 2007 Christmas masterpiece, Marshmallow World + Other Holiday Favorites. This Yuletide essential is so suave it even offers 'Silver Bells' as a tango. Believe it.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Forty Years, and No End in Sight

MARTY RAYBON celebrates his 40th year in the business in grand bluegrass style on his new album, THE BACK FORTY, with his band FULL CIRCLE in full bloom.
by David McGee
 

 
 

All in All, A Most Wonderful Time

A tasty selection of tracks from three of ANDY WILLIAMS's eight Yuletide albums, including several superb tracks with arranger-conductor-producer ROBERT MERSEY.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Thoughts That Lie Too Deep for Tears

Two very different artists make two very different albums but still manage to cross paths. What do KENNY LAVENDER and his big band have in common with LAWRENCE BLATT and his guitar?
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