Jen Chapin – Reckoning (Purple Chair Music)
Jen Chapin, daughter of the late and beloved Harry Chapin, has released the most mature and satisfying album of her fledgling career with Reckoning. It is a collection of carefully … Read more
Album Reviews
Steve Nieve – ToGetHer (429 Records)
While Steve Nieve is known mainly as Elvis Costello’s second banana in the Attractions and currently in The Imposters, ToGetHer confirms the fact his stylistic tapestry is far more varied. … Read more
Various Artists – Released: The Human Rights Concerts (Shout! Factory)
Since 1961, Amnesty International has been a beacon in the struggle for human rights throughout the world. Twenty-five years later, Amnesty’s most righteous of injustice-trouncing crusaders, most of whom are … Read more
Michael Packer – I Am The Blues: My Story (Self-released)
This album begins with Packer giving his bona fides as a bluesman: “I’ve been shot at, stabbed, done time in prison, played with Honeyboy Edwards etc.” and continues a narrative … Read more
Starship ft. Mickey Thomas – Loveless Fascination (Loud & Proud)
Far removed from any connections to the contorted Jefferson Airplane family tree (most notably Grace Slick, since replaced by siren Stephanie Calvert), Mickey Thomas, a barroom belter at heart, shines … Read more
Quicksilver Messenger Service – Live At The Old Mill Tavern: March 29,…
Given the wealth of San Francisco’s hometown talent, Quicksilver Messenger Service was hard-pressed to compete with ʼ60s contemporaries like Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead. Nevertheless, their fiery live shows … Read more
Neil Young – Live At The Cellar Door (Reprise)
In 1970, Neil Young played six memorable nights at Washington D.C.’s intimate Cellar Door. He may have departed from Buffalo Springfield, but he was well into his solo career, having … Read more
Grace & Tony – November (Rock Ridge)
What do you get when you marry bluegrass to punk rock? Well, that is literally what happened when accomplished bluegrass musician Grace Schultz married punk musician Tony White. On this, … Read more
Los Lobos – Disconnected In New York City (429)
The curious choice of “disconnected” in the album title threw me off at first. Is this 40-year-old institution breaking up? Did they fail to connect with their audience? Ah, we … Read more
Noam Pikelny – Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe (Compass)
As a member of that eclectic and eccentric outfit that calls itself the Punch Brothers, banjo player Noam Pikelny has helped bend the boundaries of bluegrass. Yet when he’s on … Read more
