Worthy of It All

Twelve Grammy Awards and 23 GMA Awards into her towering career, CECE WINANS returns with her first non-holiday release in four years, and she does so in grand style on BELIEVE IT ALL. Gospel editor BOB MAROVICH calls it the be...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Cool Blues. Really Cool Blues.

In Blues in Other Colors,, blues pianist David Maxwell has hit a high note in a most distinguished career.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Deep Roots

Deploying his vast collection of acoustic guitars, Duke Robillard and some high-profile friends (such as Maria Muldaur and Jay McShann) work out on some classic tunes from the '20s through the '40s.
by David McGee
 

 
 

In Praise of the Torch Holder

In his second solo outing, JUNIOR SISK honors Polonius's advice: "To thine own self be true." In doing so, he creates a traditional bluegrass gem in LOAD THE WAGON.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Enter, And Feel the Spirit

Soaring emotions and exquisite quartet harmonizing abound on TRAVELIN' SHOES, a foray into southern gospel (with a stop along the way at western gospel!) by the redoubtable MARLEY'S GHOST
by David McGee
 

 
 

Old-Time Good-Timey, with Hints of Grandeur

Nashville's THE HOWLIN BROTHERS are poised for greater things, if the trio's new Brendan Benson-produced album, HOWL, is any indication. John Hartford, for one, is smiling.
by David McGee
 

 

 

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 thes...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Always Magic In the Air

Delmark has reissued BLACK MAGIC, the MAGIC SAM BLUES BAND's stellar followup to its acclaimed WEST SIDE STORY. Magic is indeed in the air.
by David McGee
 

 

 

On the Spiritual Cost of Leaving

Produced by LORRAINE JORDAN, North Carolina's THE GENTLEMEN OF BLUEGRASS make a thorough examination of the physical and metaphysical cost of leaving on their debut album.
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
 

 

 

Fique Quieto Meu Coração (or, Be Still My Heart)

On her second full album, VENTO DO NORTE, Rio native (now L.A. resident) BIANCA ROSSINI offers Bossa Nova and fresh takes on the mystery and glory of love.
by David McGee
 

 
 

In the Mist of a Memory

86-year-old BOYD LEE DUNLOP survives a near-fatal heart attack to triumph on his second album, THE LAKE REFLECTIONS, a collection of solo piano improvisations.
by David McGee