James Cotton, Fully Present

Cancer has robbed him of his singing voice but not his spirit or his ability to play blues harp like no else around. At age 77, JAMES COTTON is going strong, as his new album attests. Review by BILL DAHL.
by David McGee
 

 
 

An Atmospheric Take on Debussy’s Piano Music

Angela Hewitt's new album, Debussy: Solo PIano Music is being hailed in all quarters for bringing a fresh perspective to the evocative piano music of Debussy. One of today's leading Bach pianists. Ms. Hewitt enhances her reputa...
by David McGee
 

 

 

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.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Let Us Now Praise Infamous Men

The pen and musicianship of the legendary JOHN MENDLESSOHN have brought us ISAMBARD JONES & HIS ORCHESTRA, wherein the absurdist meets the British Music Hall.
by David McGee
 

 

 

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 T...
by David McGee
 

 
 

All Who Wander Are Not Lost

Staying in touch with his divine roots, ERIC BIBB returns with MIGRATION BLUES, a humanistic and common sense perspective on immigration issues within and outside of U.S. borders. It's the best, most important music he's made.
by David McGee
 

 

 

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. Behol...
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Perfect ‘Storm’

One of our great contemporary gospel singers has returned from a four-year recording hiatus with her strongest album yet. 'Til The Storm Passes By captures the versatile Lynda Randle at her testifying best on a powerhouse colle...
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
 

 
 

The Cummings Imperative

The first outstanding blues album of 2020 comes in the form of ALBERT CUMMINGS's BELIEVE, a tour de force of expressive, soulful vocalizing and guitar mastery of a higher order.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Love Remembered, In the Heart and On the Front Lines

In a selection of songs by British composers of the first 50 years of the 20th Century,mezzo-soprano KATHRYN RUDGE, with pianist JAMES BAILLIEU, uncover some lost gems and revitalize familiar ones.
by David McGee
 

 
 

No, No Mortal Man This

Finally, a solo album from the legendary lead singer of the Persuasions, JERRY LAWSON. Expertly produced by ERIC BRACE, JUST A MORTAL MAN is a powerful showcase moment for one of the greatest soul singers of all time.
by David McGee