Jim Lauderdale – I’m A Song (Sky Crunch)
By this point in his career, you’d think that Jim Lauderdale wouldn’t have any more songs left in him, or at least have any more energy to share them. After … Read more
Album Reviews
Various Artists – Classic African-American Songsters (Smithsonian Folkways)
Few things ring true quality such as the Smithsonian Folkways sun tattooed across the spine of a record. The nonprofit label has made a modern tradition of charting the folk … Read more
Chicago – NOW: Chicago XXXVI (Frontiers Records)
Does anybody really know what time it is? It’s time for Chicago’s vigorous return to the pantheon of music royalty. In the world of rock, Chicago was always the big … Read more
Janiva Magness – Original (Fathead Records)
Career trajectories can take some interesting turns. Janiva Magness rose from relative obscurity to winning four Blues Awards and three highly acclaimed albums during her six year period with Alligator … Read more
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Hypnotic Eye (Warner Bros.)
It’s hard to believe that not only has it been four years since the release of Mojo, Tom Petty’s last studio album with the Heartbreakers, but also an astounding eight … Read more
Shawn Amos – The Reverend Shawn Amos Tells It (Put Together)
For a debut blues album, Shawn Amos sets not only the studio on fire, but he also instigates an inferno in the whole damn building with an electrifying performance. To … Read more
Eric Clapton & Friends – The Breeze (An Appreciation Of J.J. Cale)…
J.J. Cale died about a year ago, but his music will absolutely live on forever. Cale’s incredibly unique, complex mix of blues, country, folk, rock ‘n’ roll, and jazz always … Read more
Avery*Sunshine – The SunRoom (Shanachie)
Avery*Sunshine’s honeyed alto voice is so charming and so honest that she ought to be the U.S. musical ambassador. Sunshine’s second album of original R&B and soul songs reveals an … Read more
Lost Leaders – Lost Leaders (Mad Grace Music)
This record was a long time coming, but it’s definitely worth the wait. A collaboration between highly in-demand musicians Peter Cole and Byron Isaacs, the Lost Leaders project was relegated … Read more
Willie Nelson – Band Of Brothers (Sony/Legacy)
Look up the word prolific in the dictionary and don’t be surprised if you see a picture of Willie Nelson illustrating the definition. We’re kidding of course, but considering the … Read more
