Album Reviews

Jim Dan Dee

The blues and rock saxophone is usually a lead instrument. It’s perfect for solos and for sweetening a chorus, only to recede into the background when the need has passed. … Read more

Yum-Yum

  Context matters, especially when reassessing the overlooked 1998 masterpiece Dan Loves Patti, a great flood of arresting, lovelorn chamber-pop and shoegazing indie-rock ecstasy. The story of how it seemed … Read more

Bob Margolin

When Bob Margolin delivers a new release the blues world sits up, reaches out and takes note. All entirely understandable, for Margolin is one of those true blues troubadours who … Read more

Popa Chubby

This is a glorious release from a music giant who never fails to deliver interesting, gripping and, at times, downright excellent albums. Here we have a look back, a retrospective … Read more

Eric Bibb

Smooth-singing, US bluesman Eric Bibb’s latest offering is a full 24-track double disc release. Already receiving plaudits and murmurings about it being his best release to date, it’s hard to … Read more

Mark Knopfler

Mark Knopfler is one of those instantly identifiable modern music giants whose importance can seldom be understated. Since his days as frontman with Dire Straits, he has always delivered zinging, … Read more

Martin Barre

It’s near-impossible to talk about Martin Barre without mentioning Jethro Tull, so let’s get that part over with. That band will always be the key part of his musical legacy, … Read more

Michael Martin Murphey

Michael Martin goes back in time with his new album Austinology, taking a look at some of the songs written between 1968-1974 that made Austin, Texas a singer/songwriter town. Together … Read more

The Ace of Cups

If you were going to San Francisco between 1967-1972 with flowers in your hair (of course), seeing the euphoric Ace of Cups live should have topped the travel itinerary. Relying … Read more