A Paean to Living, Remembering, Carrying On, Moving Forward

The pieces on this expertly produced Open G Records disc ask the listener not only to absorb the complexities of the sonic layers but also to consider their meaning.
by David McGee
 

 
 

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...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Right On Time, Indeed

Daring to change, CHATHAM COUNTY LINE is renewed and reinvigorated to the nth degree on HIYO
by David McGee
 

 
 

Roll On

DAVE ADKINS and REPUBLIK STEEL make an impression on their debut album, That's Just the Way I Roll, as a new bluegrass band to be dealt with. Secret weapon: Adkins himself, a formidable vocalist.
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
 

 
 

Of Life and Hearts in the Balance

The earth and the hearts of people living on it are in the balance in the potent songs on IAN TYSON's memorable new album, CARNERO VAQUERO. It's a Tyson classic.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Songs From The Heart and The Headlines

In laying out challenges and rewards for even a casual singer-songwriter fan, SARAH BEATTY'S 'BANDIT QUEEN' says much about her confidence in herself and in her audience.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Rise Above, Find More Peace, Make More Love

KEB' MO' delivers the finest Christmas album of the 2019 season in MOONLIGHT, MISTLETOE & YOU. Highlights include a duet with MELISSA MANCHESTER on 'I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.'
by David McGee
 

 

 

Hey, Colorado

HONEY DON'T returns with its first new album in nearly eight years, and it's a gem. THREADBARE finds songwriter BILL POWERS at his peak, and the band speaking to a larger moment.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Ever Fresh: A Half-Century of ‘Green Onions’

In honor of the 50th anniversary of ‘Green Onions,’ we salute BOOKER T. & THE M.G.s’ reissued debut album of the same name, along with the group’s reissued-remastered 1970 Beatles tribute, McLemore Avenue, all-instrumen...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Of Secret Smiles and Unfinished Symphonies

RED RIVER DRIFTER may be MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY'S best yet. He's singing love songs again, but love songs of a different stripe, examining the emotion in all its complexity.
by David McGee
 

 
 

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