Existential Bluegrass

Bluegrass existentialists THE ROYS are back with THE VIEW, comprised of songs pondering the burden of memory as time marches on, along with philosophical appraisals of quotidian troubles and joys.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Paving the Way for Those Who Paved the Way

Twenty-five superb tracks, starting in 1940, of the Mother of Gospel Music SALLIE MARTIN's early recordings, appraised as invaluable by JOURNAL OF GOSPEL MUSIC founder BOB MAROVICH
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Whole Thing Was Such Fun

Perhaps when you hear Jesse croon the poignant plea, “Bring my baby, oh, my baby back to me…,” you think, Yes, please do bring him back. Please. Do.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Sing to Me, Sing to Me…

Having made so many memorable statements in her career, 84-year-old ANNIE ROSS delivers one of her finest on TO LADY WITH LOVE, in memory of her mentor-friend BILLIE HOLIDAY, with Pizzarellis Bucky and John on guitars.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Out of Nowhere, Making a Joyful, and Most Memorable, Noise

Out of St. Louis and in the spirit of The Goat Rodeo Sessions, The Punch Brothers and Mark O'Connor, The 442s have made a joyful, and most memorable, noise on their debut album.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Memphis Now, Memphis Tomorrow, Memphis Forever

Paying tribute to the Bluff City's rich musical history, GARRY GOIN and PATRICK REGISTER, aka DUAL DRIVE, get funky with a capital F on some vintage Memphis tunes on THE MEMPHIS PROJECT
by David McGee
 

 

 

Message Delivered

Chicago blues man DAVE SPECTER is back with his first album in four years, MESSAGE IN BLUE, and it's a keeper in the blues, soul and R&B categories all. Soul singer OTIS CLAY makes his Delmark label debut in spectacular fashion...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Joy To the World

Bluegrass Buddhist PETER ROWAN examines his personal spiritual journey on DHARMA BLUES and offers some insights we should all take to heart.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Singing Little, but Saying Oh So Much

In Newfoundlanders DUANE ANDREWS and CRAIG YOUNG the guitar duo is alive and well, even more so than the ivory-billed woodpecker, and their CHARLIE'S BOOGIE album is the undeniable proof.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Nobody Wins

Five years after his last batch of original songs saw the light of day, RADNEY FOSTER returns as strong as ever on EVERYTHING I SHOULD HAVE SAID. The moral of the story: Nobody wins.
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘Daddy G,’ In Full

GENE 'DADDY G' BARGE, saxophonist and vocalist par excellence, made his first record in 1955 and went on to accompany some of the greatest names in blues and soul. His new solo album, OLIO, demonstrates all his gifts in full.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Glory of Love

A project some 10 years in the making, HANGTOWN DANCEHALL by ERIC BRACE and KARL STRAUB tells tales of the Gold Rush days of the late 1840s centered on two lovers who learned an enduring life lesson the hard way.
by David McGee