Essential Sondheim

STEPHEN SONDHEIM's life and music, inextricably linked, are explored in captivating fashion in the new HBO documentary, SIX BY SONDHEIM, airing through December. Review herein.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Do You Believe in Magic?

A recently unveiled 45-year-old tape recorded in a tiny Milwaukee club in 1968 gives us a powerhouse live performance by MAGIC SAM in prime-time mode, both in voice and with his guitar, on LIVE AT THE AVANT GARDE.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Soul Stirring Joy

Gospel editor BOB MAROVICH weighs in on a new Soul Stirrers retrospective from the group's SAR Records years. Recommending this double-CD set: four previously unreleased Stirrers sides.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Right Where You Need To Be

On TURN TO JESUS, the newly minted DAVE ADKINS TRIO explains what it means to be known by God, to be held in God's gaze, to be 'right where you need to be.'
by David McGee
 

 

 

Something Old, Something New, Lots of Blues

MARIA MULDAUR's 40th album, one of her best yet, is a tribute to a woman who was one of her early inspirations, Memphis Minnie. Guest performances include solid turns by BONNIE RAITT, RORY BLOCK, KOKO TAYLOR and PHOEBE SNOW.
by David McGee
 

 
 

And Lo, She Flies

Violinist, guitarist and master of the cwrth, EMERALD RAE emerges as a serious singer-songwriter on IF ONLY I COULD FLY.
by David McGee
 

 

 

With Carter Hovering Overhead

With friends such as DIERKS BENTLEY, DEL MCCOURY, LEE ANN WOMACK, JIM LAUDERDALE, BUDDY MILLER, RICKY SKAGGS, et al., how could RALPH STANLEY go wrong? He doesn't.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Throw of the Dice: Josquin’s ‘Missa Di Dadi’

With PETER PHILLIPS directing , THE TALLIS SCHOLARS return with their eleventh disc of JOSQUIN masses, a welcome release featuring two quirkly early masses, including 'Missa Di Dadi,' or 'The Dice Mass.'
by David McGee
 

 

 

Exuding the Joy of Connection Through Music

FRANCESCA DEGO's exceptional album of concerti by NICCOLO PAGANINI and ERMANNO WOLF-FERRARI merits an exceptional review by JOSEPH NEWSOME
by David McGee
 

 
 

Places in The Heart

Find yourself in THE UNENDING ALTERATION OF THE HEART if you will, but GABRIELLE LOUISE is addressing herself in unvarnished interior monologues, leading by example in facing head-on hard truths about life, love and loss. Behol...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Sovereignty Well Earned

You may think these fellows rather audacious in naming themselves Royal Southern Brotherhood, but when you see their lineup includes an Allman, a Neville and a Zito, well, good to see you, fellows. As that funnyman from Transyl...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Choogling On

Sagacious, well-traveled harp master Pierre Lacocque and his Chicago-based Mississippi Heat blues band offer Delta Bound, a thoroughly delightful hour of blues in various colors.
by David McGee