Circling Back
CARLENE CARTER's new album 'Carter Girl,' a tribute to the musical heritage of her fabled family, is a triumph, says contributing editor MICHAEL SIGMAN. 'I wanted listeners to feel like they're on a journey,' says Carlene.
Reviews
‘Unprecedented, Powerful, Contagious’
Joyous, uplifting, even challenging in its own way, FBB by the SIBELIUS-AKATEMIAN FOLK BIG BAND takes the concept of David Bromberg's folk band a step further and delivers one of 2014's unexpected delights.
Songs in the Key of Life
Madrid native CARMEN CUESTA follows her acclaimed bossa nova album with a collection of a dozen well-turned, mostly sensual boleros in UNA TODA VIDA...
The Angels Listened In
It's been a long, hard climb back to the active list for JAMES ARMSTRONG following a 1996 home invasion that left him without the use of his left arm. But back he has come, all the way, with GUITAR ANGELS, a blues triumph through and…
From Any Angle, It’s Still the Blues
BLUESMAN and former boxer GRADY CHAMPION is launching his new label with strong albums from his first signings: EDDIE COTTON with HERE I COME and JJ THAMES with TELL YOU WHAT I KNOW
Rhonda’s Revenge
Though she says it was inspired by George Jones, Rhonda Vincent's ONLY ME, a double-CD release containing one side of country and one of bluegrass, has n other message to send. Call it Rhonda's Revenge.
An On-Time Messenger for the Lord
It takes no special insight to point out the kinship of blues and gospel but 81-year-old LEO 'BUD' WELCH's debut album, Sabougla Voices, presses that truth home with a ferocity and unwavering conviction remarkable even for these most deeply personal musical styles.
‘There Is a Great Desire in All Souls for What Is Good and Beautiful’
The BENEDICTINES OF MARY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES are back with another moving seasonal epistle to follow last year's chart busting Angels and Saints. LENT AT EPHESUS, the sisters' new album, is a true sacred masterpiece.
Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
No longer incommunicado, BILL POWERS and SHELLEY GRAY are back with some friends as HONEY DON'T. The group's second album, HEART LIKE A WHEEL, is a solid advance over the group's 2009 self-titled debut.
EPs of the Year 2013
Our first-ever citations of the Best EPs we received in 2013--an Elite Four, you might say.