The Big Land

Ever more ambitious, ALISON BROWN returns with THE SONG OF THE BANJO, with KEB' MO outstanding on 'What's Going On,' and our reviewer likening the instrumental portions to Smetana's 'The Moldau.' Really.
by David McGee
 

 
 

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
 

 

 

In Heavy Rotation

Reviews of new CDs by IAN & SYLVIA, GLENNA BELL, ANDY STATMAN, EBONY HILLBILLIES, MARLEY'S GHOST, BLUE HIGHWAY, REBECCA DUMAINE and the DAVE MILLER COMBO and the VILLALOBOS BROTHERS
by David McGee
 

 
 

Retrospectives of the Year (2016)

Something akin to Lifetime Achievement Awards: Paul McCartney's Pure McCartney and Rhonda Vincent & The Rage's All the Rage: Rhonda Vincent & The Rage Live in Concert, Volume One
by David McGee
 

 

 

Hard, Stomping and Merciless

Out of Seattle with a Chicago mindset and some southwestern sizzle, RJ Knapp & Honey Robin offer hard, stomping, merciless urban blues on Don't Blame the Dynamite..If You Can't Light the Fuse.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Make That ‘Loving Tribute’

Honoring important people in his life and career, ace jazz guitarist LARRY NEWCOMB adds BUCKY PIZZARELLI to his Quartet and delivers on LIVING TRIBUTE
by David McGee
 

 

 

Special Delivery

The U.S. Postal Service has honored RAY CHARLES with a Forever stamp, and Concord has marked the occasion with an interesting anthology, FOREVER.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Journey To the Healing Moment

Bluegrass singer-songwriter DONNA ULISSE maintains the glide in her stride with another strong album, HARD CRY MOON
by David McGee
 

 

 

Tough Love? Tough Stuff.

Bluesman TINSLEY ELLIS's new CD, TOUGH LOVE, proves itself tough stuff indeed--10 original songs played and sung with conviction to burn.
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
 

 

 

A Final Communiqué, Tough and Tender

The late Cesaria Evora, the 'barefoot diva' who put Cape Verde's morna music on the global map, is fully present on Mãe Carinhosa, a newly released collection of her final recordings.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Love or Chicken, It’s Tasty

You might say stellar guitarist-singer-songwriter BILL KIRCHEN lights it up on his new album, Seeds and Steams. Or you might also say SEEDS AND STEMS Bill Kirchen Proper Records “Get outta my way you small town clowns/th...
by David McGee