Being About the Needed Balance of Persistence and Faith

Like a bridge over troubled waters, ROD McCORMACK's FINGERPRINTS offers safe passage through perilous times--an instant classic of a debut album
by David McGee
 

 
 

Where Gentle Grace Abides

A pandemic project with remote parts pieced together seamlessly, STEVE DAWSON's EYES CLOSED DREAMING is heartfelt and inspired.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Life And Life Only

A little bit Montgomery Gentry, a little bit Trace Adkins, but ultimately only themselves, the fellows who comprise the hard hitting country band LiveWire come on strong in their debut album, Livin'.
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
 

 

 

There Goes the Sun

The 'lost' album from ARTHUR 'BIG BOY' CRUDUP's 1969 Delmark trifecta, SUNNY DAY, may have a placid surface, but things are roiling underneath. The road ain't so sunny.
by David McGee
 

 
 

2013’s Elite Half-Hundred – Part I

Selections 1-25 of the 2013 Elite Half Hundred include THE BENEDICTINES OF MARY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES, STEEP CANYON RANGERS, DAILEY & VINCENT, ALAN JACKSON, et al.
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
 

 
 

Down the Road Apiece

'... at his deepest roots, it’s pretty clear that it’s never been about him, but about what passes through him.' BILLY ALTMAN comes to praise KEITH RICHARDS' new solo album.
by David McGee
 

 

 

In Heavy Rotation: Roots & Blues

Rounding up a quartet of must-hear recent releases: NORMAN BLAKE, Day by Day; MARK O'CONNOR, Markology II; MIKE ZITO, Resurrection; and TIFFANY POLLACK, Bayou Liberty.
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