Tested In the Furnace of Affliction

SAM BUTLER, former lead guitarist with the Blind Boys of Alabama, makes his solo debut with a most unusual spiritual album--with songs by Springsteen, Waits, Curtis Mayfield, Johnny Cash, et al.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Blues, Classical & Corky Siegel Ascendant

Blues harmonica master and skilled composer CORKY SIEGEL returns with his CHAMBER BLUES string quartet for a blues-classical romp on DIFFERENT VOICES..
by David McGee
 

 

 

In Praise of the Torch Holder

In his second solo outing, JUNIOR SISK honors Polonius's advice: "To thine own self be true." In doing so, he creates a traditional bluegrass gem in LOAD THE WAGON.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Hope Is the Thing With Feathers

As birds go, so goes humanity. Three nominally classical albums poetically address the looming threats to the natural world.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Return of the Slide Guitar Titan

Eleven albums into his career the titan of the slide guitar Sonny Landreth demonstrates what an artist is made of by continuing to find new and challenging avenues of expression. On Elemental Journey the task he sets for himsel...
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Chicago Blues Bonanza, Right on Time

Out of print for years, Delmark has reissued AL MILLER'S masterful ...IN BETWEEN TIME, a bonanza of Chicago blues featuring all-star Chi-town blues stalwarts Miller, John Primer, Billy Flynn and others.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Heat Wave

Two outstanding HOT CLUBs--one of SAN FRANCISCO, the other of the mythical COWTOWN--occupy similar turf on their new albums, both being tributes to the gypsy jazz legacy of DJANGO REINHARDT and STEPHANE GRAPELLI.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Soul Man Exits, With Love

AIN'T NO MORE LOVE IN THIS HOUSE is the last will and testament on record by classic soul singer LOU PRIDE, who died before its release last year. He went out in grand style, though.
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
 

 
 

Fanning the Flames of Whitman’s ‘Subtle Electric Fire’

Enlisting the support of some 64 musicians and choir/session singers, GARRY DIAL and DICK OATTS have delivered a stirring, jazz-oriented musical interpretation of Walt Whitman poems.
by David McGee
 

 

 

In the Still of the Night

Reflective, ruminative, serene, spiritual, moving and soothing--three new albums are right on time for our times.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Michael Bram Goes Yard

Michael Bram's new Suitcase In the Hall is a tape-measure home run of soulful singing, inspired playing, terrific songs and great vibes from first to last.
by David McGee