Mark May Band & The Soul Satyr Horns
I distinctly recall the instant 21 years ago while shooting pool when the ripping “You’re Leaving Baby” from Mark May and the Agitators’ debut, Call on the Blues, shot me … Read more
Reviews
The Saint Johns
Blessed be the Saint Johns, for the rich, intoxicating Americana found on their debut album Dead of Night brimming with warm melodies, emotional resonance. Their swooning male-female vocal harmonies are exquisite. … Read more
Jake Shimabukuro
The novelty wore off a while ago. That was undoubtedly part of Jake Shimabukuro’s plan all along. A ukulele virtuoso and world-music ambassador, the nimble-fingered Hawaiian has done more than … Read more
Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne
Widely decorated boogie-woogie pianist and contemporary songsmith Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne storms out of Vancouver with mostly jumping blues for a dozen originals and one devastating ballad cover. Joining him … Read more
Tinsley Ellis
Early in his career Tinsley Ellis was known primarily as a fiery blues-rock guitarist and while that fire still burns, today Ellis continues to evolve as one of the best … Read more
Robert Ellis
Ellis’ 2015 The Lights from the Chemical Plant and especially that song itself were hauntingly compelling, so this release comes with high expectations. While no one song has quite the … Read more
Whitney
Neil Sedaka once sang, “Breaking up is hard to do.” But breakups have often been the inspiration behind some great records. Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago, Beck’s Sea Change … Read more
The Kinks
When it was originally released in August 1972, the Kinks’ tenth studio album, Everybody’s In Show-Biz, appeared to be a bit of a letdown. After several consistent, solid concept albums — … Read more
The Blue Orchids
Martin Bramah didn’t stick around long after the Fall’s 1979 debut LP, Live at the Witch Trials, hit the streets. In the Blue Orchids, the band he formed after leaving the … Read more
Andre Williams
Pushing 80, the nattily attired Motown expatriate and unabashed hustler Andre Williams doesn’t sugarcoat anything on I Wanna Go Back to Detroit. Expressing his fondness and concern for the hardscrabble, troubled … Read more
