The Inner Light

The thirty-ninth album of his career may be JOHN MCCUTCHEON's finest yet. The storytelling is vivid and moving, the music is appropriately nuanced, the singing heartfelt and engaging. Let GHOST LIGHT take hold.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Turn The World Around

The 'west' of MARTY STUART AND HIS SUPERLATIVES' provocative WAY OUT WEST is as much metaphysical as geographical, despite nods to the likes of Dick Dale...
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Christmas Story For All Seasons, And For The Ages

From its opening hosanna, 'I See the Light of the World' to its closing exaltation, 'Morning In Bethlehem,' DONNA ULISSE's song cycle All The Way to Bethlehem is not merely close to perfect, it's a work of art. An instant seaso...
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
 

 

 

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
 

 
 

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
 

 

 

‘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
 

 
 

To Shine Is Why You Came

VALERIE JUNE seems to have stepped out of some sort of enchanted forest, spreading powerfully delivered but gentle-spirited songs that are so filled with whimsy and wonder they seem to be borne more of pixie dust than musical n...
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
 

 
 

The Poetry, and The Poet, Within

One of the finest bluegrass singer-songwriters extant, DONNA ULISSE pays homage to the artists that inspired her on SHOWIN' MY ROOTS.
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
 

 
 

Familiar, Fresh & True to the Human Experience

On a most impressive debut, JOHNNY & THE MONGRELS leap immediately into the front ranks of chicken-fried southern soul and swamp-rock on CREOLE SKIES.
by David McGee