Sean Costello, Fully Present

Finally seeing the light of day after being recorded in 2005, SEAN COSTELLO's IN THE MAGIC SHOP is more than a fitting final tribute--it's a masterpiece by an artist who is fully present in all dimensions.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Christmas Blues with a Positive Spin

Appraising a Yuletide gem from Carolina beach music legend, soul veteran CLIFFORD CURRY, and a look back at Curry's interesting career.
by David McGee
 

 

 

45 Years Later, Still Right on Time

The tipoff is in the title: MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH MARTY ROBBINS. One of country's greatest singers is intimately involved in the thoughtful songs he shares with us for the Yuletide including two of his own.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Everything Old Is New Again

On CHRISTMAS, the platinum-plus Australian Christian artist PETER FURLER teams with Vintage Christmas aficionado DAVID IAN for a soothing, introspective, jazz-based seasonal rumination.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Christmas, Close to Home, Hearth and Heart

In his songs about home, hearth and heart, RICK LANG evokes a down-home Christmas celebration, with the help of some talented musicians who took his songs to unexpected places.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Christmas in Verse, 2021

Timeless Christmas poems by ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON, DOLLIE RADFORD, ROBERT SOUTHWELL, et al. plus Christmas music videos featuring THE POGUES, THE PRETENDERS, THE ROYAL GUARDSMEN, THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA and THE SUPREMES.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Très engagé E una gioia di vivere (or, You Go, Girl)

Exploring the vagaries of love in French and Italian songs, CATARINA ZAPPONI delivers a seductive gem on ROMANTICA, her first album since 2001 and well worth the wait.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Finding the Fountain of Youth

Chicago blues veteran BILLY BOY ARNOLD teams up with producer DUKE ROBILLARD and band for a powerhouse set on THE BLUES SOUL OF BILLY BOY ARNOLD, one of 2014's finest blues releases.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Hurricane Warning

Almost a half-century into his career. BOBBY 'HURRICANE' SPENCER delivers big-time on 'HURRICANE UNLEASHED,' singing some hard-luck blues but also revealing himself as a true romantic, in spite of heartbreak.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Full-Bodied Blues

COME BACK BABY, LINSEY ALEXANER's second Delmark release, exceeds his 2012 effort in all respects--singing, playing and writing. It's an album for those who love their blues full bodied.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Keeping the Faith and Keeping It Well

Seasoned and undiminished soul and gospel veterans, JOHNNY RAWLS and OTIS CLAY, finally get together for a rousing outing on SOUL BROTHERS.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Title Tells the Tale

ROB STONE is back with his fourth album as a bandleader. GOTTA KEEP ROLLIN' is, says our ERIC STEINER, an album 'fans of post-war Chicago blues will want on their CD shelves.'
by David McGee