johnny mongrels creole

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
 

 
 
donald lawrence goshen

Chronicling a Spiritual Exodus from Modern-Day Anxieties

One of the first great albums of 2019, GOSHEN, by DONALD LAWRENCE PRESENTS THE TRI-CITY SINGERS, is a concept album ranging from worship songs to topical numbers to rages against the machine--and the power of faith.
by David McGee
 

 

 
Folk unlocked featured

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.'
by David McGee
 

 
 
special onsensus chicago

Standing on Big Shoulders

From Robert Johnson to the present day, SPECIAL CONSENSUS celebrates the Windy City's musical legacy on their 45th anniversary recording, CHICAGO BARN DANCE. The consensus? It's special.
by David McGee
 

 

 
sam butler raise

Tested In the Furnace of Affliction

SAM BUTLER, former lead guitarist with the Blind Boys of Alabama, makes his solo debut with a most unusual spiritual album--with songs by Springsteen, Waits, Curtis Mayfield, Johnny Cash, et al.
by David McGee
 

 
 
newport featured

Newport Folk Festival Goes Roots-y (But Hasn’t It Always Been So?)

A surprise set by JAMES TAYLOR was the highlight of highlights at this year's NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL. Our man on the scene, IRA MAYER, a festival veteran, reflects on the lineup's not-so-folky flavor.
by David McGee
 

 

 
autumn in augusta songs

And A Proud Mama She Would Be

AUTUMN IN AUGUSTA, the blues-jazz-folk combo led by the wondrous LUCY SMITH, has a winner in SONGS MY MAMA WOULD LIKE. It's Ms. Smith's tribute to the music her mother loved. Mama, Ms. Smith writes, 'had awesome taste.' We agree.
by David McGee
 

 
 
cary moriin cradle

Planting Seeds in The Wild

Trumpian turbulence and an inner spiritual journey fuel CARY MORIN's arresting new collection of solo acoustic fingerpicked beauties, including a triumphant anthem for the Standing Rock protests.
by David McGee
 

 

 
james cotton mouth

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
 

 
 
eric bibb migration

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
 

 

 
02

All In a Day’s Blues

An alum of the late, great Calvin Owens's Blues Orchestra, guitarist CHARLES 'CD' DAVIS has a winner in his solo debut, 24 HOUR BLUES, featuring some Orchestra vets and four outstanding vocalists playing up a blues storm.
by David McGee
 

 
 
UNCOVERED Vol. 1 Front Cover

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
by David McGee