The Elite Half Hundred of 2016, Part 2

Albums 26 through 50 in Part 2 of the Elite Half Hundred of 2016
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Royal Family of Guitar In a Festive Mood

After a half-century at the pole position of the guitar quartet, Los Romeros have finally recorded their first Christmas album. If ever an ensemble was capable of making you believe in the validity of Christmas again, this is it.
by David McGee
 

 

 

And A Proud Mama She Would Be

AUTUMN IN AUGUSTA, the blues-jazz-folk combo led by the wondrous LUCY SMITH, has a winner in SONGS MY MAMA WOULD LIKE. It's Ms. Smith's tribute to the music her mother loved. Mama, Ms. Smith writes, 'had awesome taste.' We agree.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Final Flowering

ANONYMOUS 4 is closing out its near-30-year career with one of its finest albums, 1865--SONGS OF HOPE AND HOME FROM THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR, the final installment of its Americana Trilogy.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Soothing Music in a Troubled Time

Self-released and Kickstarter funded, Hawaii's PACIFIC HARP PROJECT quartet has reimagined works by revered composers such as RAVEL and DEBUSSY, and added scintillating originals to the mix.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Undaunted

On WE RISE UP, RAVEN AND RED confront all manner of romantic debacle and emerge undaunted. Attention must be paid to these young artists.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Dispatches From Solitude

Forced into isolation by the pandemic, JOHN McCUTCHEON began writing songs, and more songs, came up with a moving tribute to front line workers and to his friend John Prine, found some humor in his plight, and voila! CABIN FEVE...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Little Richard, Ascending

‘It’s Just Like An Unfinished Diamond’  Richard Penniman has at various times, often without prompting, referred to himself as “the originator, the instigator, the facilitator” of rock ‘n’ roll. To varying degree...
by David McGee
 

 

 

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 promi...
by David McGee
 

 
 

The City in Rags

Ragtime is alive and well and ever more vibrant when pianist-composer DAVID CHESKY brings some new, contemporary twists to the style in his love letter to New York City, THE NEW YORK RAGS. Scott Joplin is up there smiling, and ...
by David McGee
 

 

 

When Vintage Becomes Timeless

DAVID IAN did it in 2011 with Vintage Christmas, and does it again in 2012 with Vintage Christmas Wonderland: gather the combo, pare the set list to five songs and deliver a Christmas gem.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Hearts in Flux

On DULCIE TAYLOR's moving new album, ONLY WORN ONE TIME, the singer-songwriter offers Finely etched reflections on mortality, heartbreak, self-reliance, self-doubt, commitment and similar weighty topics.
by David McGee