Album Reviews

Scott Ramminger

Round up the best session players in New Orleans. Bring in top flight female singers like Bekka Bramlett, Francine Reed, Janiva Magness and the McCrary Sisters. How can you lose? … Read more

Delbert McClinton & Self-Made Men

Come. Stay. This bad boy is on his best behavior, obvious before even dropping the needle on Prick of the Litter. Song after song, Delbert McClinton outdoes himself on his … Read more

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton convincingly whispers and sings ten love songs on her 43rd studio album, Pure & Simple. The stripped-down recording defies Parton’s 70 years with an ageless voice on “I’m … Read more

Scott Nolan

I was not familiar with Scott Nolan until I heard this terrific album. I gravitated toward it immediately after seeing that Nolan had the Southern collective, world class musicians and … Read more

Craig Taborn

Admittedly, pianist, composer, and electronica explorer Craig Taborn has never been all that visible on my radar. I certainly liked what I’ve heard throughout his 20+ year dialog with his … Read more

Big Bill Morganfield

Pressure? Try being a blues artist as the son of perhaps the best blues artist ever. Blues Music Award Winner Big Bill Morganfield bears up well, with his slide guitar … Read more

Chuck Prophet

“I Fought the Law” was the only major hit for the Bobby Fuller Four, reaching the top ten in early 1966, and by July, Bobby Fuller had died under mysterious … Read more

The Sadies

In the past few months this writer has covered these outstanding Canadian roots bands: Blue Rodeo, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, and now, just as enduring as those two, the … Read more

Troy Roberts

All nine of these lengthy excursions into the vibrant heart of contemporary jazz clearly evidence the optimistic zing of creativity the new players are riffing madly on. Taut and free … Read more

Emmet Cohen

Cohen’s got himself a real sweet disc happening here as he ventures to celebrate the peaceful transition of groove, instinct, insight, and grace from one elder statesman, Jimmy Cobb, to … Read more