For Whom These Bells Toll

THREE BELLS, a collaboration between three great dobro masters--MIKE AULDRIDGE, JERRY DOUGLAS and ROB ICKES--is flat-out a beautiful, evocative album with virtuosity always in service to the heart. Is is also the great AULDRIDG...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Quoth the Bard…

AL BASILE, one of contemporary music's most literate artists, reaches new heights of eloquence and musicality on B'S EXPRESSION, with production, for the 12th time, by DUKE ROBILLARD.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Deep Roots Elite Half-Hundred of 2019

Albums of the Year are not the only game in town. Here are 50 long players that made 2019 special for us.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Proper Homecoming

Memphis bluesman DARREN JAY returns to the U.S. this month after being deployed to Kuwait with the U.S. Naval Reserves. He's coming back Stateside to rave reviews for his first album with his band The Delta Souls,DRINK MY WINE,...
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Game of Love

BEFORE THE WORLD WAS MADE Brennen Leigh & Noel McKay B&N In a world festering with male-female duos, Austin’s Brennen Leigh & Noel McKay have some clear advantages over the competition. For starters, their dress i...
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Beautiful Day in Ms. Rogers’ Neighborhood

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood when KIMM ROGERS dives into her songs on WHERE THE PAVEMENT GROWS and asks: 'Would you be mine? Could you be mine?'
by David McGee
 

 

 

You Have Come to The World. I Pour Out Praise for You.

BENEDICTINES OF MARY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES have created their third classic Christmas album in CAROLING AT EPHESUS. All proceeds go the order's building projects.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Chronicling a Spiritual Exodus from Modern-Day Anxieties

One of the first great albums of 2019, GOSHEN, by DONALD LAWRENCE PRESENTS THE TRI-CITY SINGERS, is a concept album ranging from worship songs to topical numbers to rages against the machine--and the power of faith.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Considering Historical Conflict & Conflicted History

JASON RINGENBERG offers a reckoning with history on his 18th solo album, RHINESTONED, featuring the Freedom Riders, Crazy Horse, Jesus Christ and, in spirit, Hank Williams, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, the Carter Family and T...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Ricky Skaggs: Honoring Faith, Family and Tradition

Only two years have passed since Ricky Skaggs blessed us with some new music, but even a cursory listen to the vibrant playing and singing on Music To My Ears may have fans thinking, It's nice to have him back. And they would b...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Another Place, Another Time, Right Now

Better known for her role on Showtime's 'Shameless' series, EMMY ROSSUM also is a singer on the rise. On 'SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY,' her album of classic pop standards, arranged to evoke the months of the year, she rises fast.
by David McGee
 

 
 

You Got the Silver, Sandy

BIG SANDY and HIS FLY-RITE BOYS are celebrating a silver anniversary this year with a new album of reworked gems from the band's 25-year recording history. It's really good stuff.
by David McGee