The Soul Of John Black – A Sunshine State Of Mind (Yellow…
Summer has passed, but if you’re looking for a way to hold on to that breezy, relaxed summer feeling, look no further. John Bigham, the force of the Soul of … Read more
Album Reviews
The Loomis Fargo Gang – The Prettiest Shade Of Blue (Self-released)
To describe this Norfolk, VA-based band as ambient folk would be an understatement. This five-piece Americana outfit is more akin to a state of mind. The music feels like a … Read more
Christian McBride and Inside Straight – People Music (Mack Avenue)
The name of this album reminds me of Louis Armstrong’s response when he was asked what he thought about folk music: “All music is folk music; I ain’t never heard … Read more
Ian Thomas – Little Dreams (Universal)
Given his popularity in his native Canada and his success as a songwriter for others (Santana, Bette Midler, America and Manfred Mann), it’s somewhat surprising that Ian Thomas isn’t better … Read more
Joseph Arthur – The Ballad of Boogie Christ (Lonely Astronaut)
Once included amongst the Dylan-inspired, idealistic ilk of post-alternative bards like Pete Yorn and Howie Day, singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur’s sheer poetic nature and experimental sonic proclivity is beyond comparison to … Read more
Caroline Cotter – Ruth and Harry & Other Stories (Self-released)
Caroline Cotter is a child of GOD, a highly-confident and free full-luminous lady of the moon, and woman of the world whose blinding beauty (in the eye of this beholder!) is … Read more
Eric Taylor – Studio 10 (Blue Ruby Music)
This is another consistently strong effort from Taylor, the highly influential Texas songwriter who galvanized the Houston folk scene with Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith, and Robert Earl Keen among others. … Read more
Melissa Ferrick – The Truth Is (MPress Records)
The truth is that Melissa Ferrick has crafted a wondrous album that should bring her the wider recognition that her music deserves. Superbly recorded live in Boston, Ms. Ferrick brought … Read more
The Mantles – Long Enough To Leave (Slumberland)
The Mantles’ first album was a pleasant slice of fuzzy guitar pop, but listening to it a few years later, one gets the impression that the band didn’t seem to … Read more
Queens of the Stone Age – …Like Clockwork (Matador)
As lead singer Josh Homme sings “The view from Hell is blue sky/so ominously blue,” in the first track of …Like Clockwork, you know that you’re on the express train … Read more
