A Fresh Perspective on the ‘African Mahler’
CATALYST QUARTET, a young American ensemble, explores the chamber music of SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR, works whose sophistication belies their early date
Reviews
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 The Scorchers.
Music Connecting People, Wherever They May Be
BILLY ALTMAN on the FOLK ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL UNLOCKED FESTIVAL: 'a week of discovery of a lot of worthwhile music (and) a valuable reminder of the power of music to connect people, wherever they may be.'
Bluegrass Speaks to The Moment
A bluegrass trifecta: three new albums, by DALE ANN BRADLEY, THE DILLARDS and PHIL LEADBETTER AND THE ALL STARS OF BLUEGRASS (featuring Steve Gulley) all speak to the moment, addressing a variety of current hot-button issues in a most musical way.
Thirst No More
The world-weariness welling from deep within the Nashville-based singer-songwriter SUSAN McCRACKEN's soul expresses not helplessness but hopefulness on PATIENT KINGDOM, as if giving testimony to the cyclicality and potentiality of life. And that is what the new album is all about.
Somewhere Between Heartache and Redemption
Balancing personal misfortune with spiritual redemption, CRYSTAL SHAWANDA is making a major movie with CHURCH HOUSE BLUES, her fourth blues album.
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. Behold, a torch masterpiece.
Dispatches From Solitude
Forced into isolation by the pandemic, JOHN McCUTCHEON began writing songs, and more songs, came up with a moving tribute to front line workers and to his friend John Prine, found some humor in his plight, and voila! CABIN FEVER, a plague-inspired beauty.
Exception To The Rule
Something's different about CARY MORIN as we hear him on his fine new album, DOCKSIDE SAINTS: It feels like he's pulling away from the pack.
Really the Blues: A Roundup
A blues roundup featuring new CDs from British blues-rock veterans SAVOY BROWN, a great one from the late RON THOMPSON and, triumphantly returning from a six-year absence on record, DIANE SCHUUR.