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Kind Of, Sort Of…No, Really Good. Exceptional, Even.

Joanne Shaw Taylor’s artistic growth continues unabated since her dramatic debut in 2008 with White Sugar. Her third solo long player, Almost Always Never, is another triumph,. one of the best blues albums of 2012.
by David McGee
 

 
 
donna ulisse featured

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
 

 

 
benedictines featured

Stirring the Heart, Captivating the Mind

The young order of contemplative nuns based in Missouri and known as BENEDICTINES OF MARY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES stir the heart and captivate the mind on EASTER AT EPHESUS.
by David McGee
 

 
 
mike zito11

The Zito Doctrine

Moving forward from the blunt confessions of 'Gone to Texas,' MIKE ZITO, working with producer TOM HAMBRIDGE, lets 'er rip in glorious fashion on the incendiary MAKE BLUES NOT WAR, one of 2016's best.
by David McGee
 

 

 
mary lane travelin

Being About the Persistence of Love

At long last, 83-year-old MARY LANE asserts herself at the forefront of contemporary blues with TRAVELIN' WOMAN, her record of a lifetime and of hanging in and hanging on to love, body, soul and heart intact.
by David McGee
 

 
 
jason ringenberg rhinestoned

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
 

 

 
Zito Life is Hard Cover

The Knight of Faith

In his first recordings since his wife's death, MIKE ZITO shares some profound reflections, his own and others'.
by David McGee
 

 
 
jennie wade2

Voices From Beyond the Glow in the Sunset Skies

An all-star cast of roots songwriters, musicians and vocalists join forces on GOD DIDN'T CHOOSE SIDES: Civil War True Stories about Real People, Volume 1. Ye shall be moved.
by David McGee
 

 

 
charlies boogie 260x152 1404790912

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
 

 
 
delta reign sky

Extra-Savory Bluegrass

The finest in contemporary bluegrass is coming to you from Mobile, Alabama's DELTA REIGN. The band is back, following up its superb Calm Before the Storm with another top-notch outing, NOTHING BUT SKY.
by David McGee
 

 

 
sonny brownie last train

Special Delivery

A loving and long overdue tribute to the great SONNY TERRY & BROWNIE MCGHEE by Ambassador of the Blues GUY DAVIS and his producer-harmonica ace FABRIZIO POGGI. All aboard!
by David McGee
 

 
 
albert cummings believe featured

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