Ebony Hillbillies 5 Miles featured

‘Voices Raised in Determination and Triumph’

On this, its fifth CD, The Ebony Hillbillies' old-timey sound evokes, on the one hand, bygone eras in the jubilant bones- and fiddle-fired title track and horrific modern-day tragedies rooted in racial animus...
by David McGee
 

 
 
bill evans company

A Hoot For The Age

The hootenanny lives! Banjo master/educator Bill Evans’s In Good Company has that feel of an informal gathering of musicians playing exactly what they want to play, complementing each other to a T and having a great time doin...
by David McGee
 

 

 
heather dick1 880x385

Love From Both Sides Now

One voice, one piano, some chestnuts from the Great American Songbook, one quiet, powerful original and an unerring aim for the heart: the Wailin' Jennys' HEATHER MASSE and the legendary DICK HYMAN make art on LOCK MY HEART.
by David McGee
 

 
 
juan carlos caminando

A Quiet Storm of Guitar Mastery

Guitarists LARRY NEWCOMB, with his son JAKE on bass, and DAVE STRYKER lead their combos on scintillating jazz-oriented journeys on their new albums, whereas on his reissued masterpiece, CAMINANDO, guitarist JUAN CARLOS QUINTERO...
by David McGee
 

 

 
peter furler christmas large 260x152 1418067967

Everything Old Is New Again

On CHRISTMAS, the platinum-plus Australian Christian artist PETER FURLER teams with Vintage Christmas aficionado DAVID IAN for a soothing, introspective, jazz-based seasonal rumination.
by David McGee
 

 
 
aaron neville true

Of Doo-Wop and a Full Grown Man

AARON NEVILLE has a unique definition of doo-wop that includes 'Be My Baby' in the genre, and he's done the music of his youth justice on his fine new album, MY TRUE STORY.
by David McGee
 

 

 
too slim anthology

Slim In Name Only

ANTHOLOGY, a new double-CD overview, chronicles the tough, tender and topical sides of TOO SLIM AND THE TAILDRAGGERS, one of America's best bands
by David McGee
 

 
 
henry wagons company

Company’s Comin’

Wagons leader Henry Wagons is back with a compelling solo EP, 'Expecting Company?' These short stories in musical form find Wagons edging into Jorge Luis Borges territory. What will he make of that?
by David McGee
 

 

 
Eric Bibb Ridin cover

Right Now, Right Here, Indispensable

At a time when his eloquence and his conscience are most needed, ERIC BIBB deliver on RIDIN'.
by David McGee
 

 
 
costello magic shop

Sean Costello, Fully Present

Finally seeing the light of day after being recorded in 2005, SEAN COSTELLO's IN THE MAGIC SHOP is more than a fitting final tribute--it's a masterpiece by an artist who is fully present in all dimensions.
by David McGee
 

 

 
lisa somebodys baby

Between Rock and a Traditional Place

Lisa Matassa's impressive EP Somebody's Baby is not for country traditionalist, but fans of contemporary arena-style mainstream country will find much to admire in the rock-fueled anthems, but there is evidence here of a sensit...
by David McGee
 

 
 
dick dale featured

Swingin’ and A-Surfin’, All Summer Long: Revisited

A fresh look at one of our 2014 summer picks, SUMMER BEACH PARTY, a collection of tunes from the beach movies of the '60s, with some curious omissions to account for.
by David McGee