Mike Zito & The Wheel – Gone To Texas *** (out of 4 stars) Label: Ruf Records “Gone to Texas.” Well, I can dream, can’t I? For some of us, Texas holds a special place in our heart, in our history, in our life. For a musician to title his album with a phrase that…
She is currently on the road with Kenny Chesney’s “No Shoes Nation” stadium tour, but singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves got to fulfill a lifelong dream yesterday — she performed at Bonnaroo to rave reviews from both fans and critics alike. I’m not “blowin’ smoke” — she blew them away. Musgraves, one of the only country acts…
Underhill Rose – Something Real ***½ (out of 4 stars) This album reminds me of what I hoped The Band Perry might evolve into (when I first heard them) someday (but didn’t) — a somewhat sassy, occasionally touching, always toe-tapping musical experience that is guaranteed to make you believe again in the integrity of country…
Rory Block – Avalon ***½ (out of 4 stars) Label: Stony Plain Records Over the past few years, talented blues guitarist Rory Block has been paying tribute to her musical influences with albums dedicated to such stellar artists as Rev. Gary Davis (2012′s I Belong To The Band), Mississippi Fred McDowell (2011′s Shake ‘em On…
Amos Garrett Jazz Trio – Jazz Blues *** (out of 4 stars) Label: Stony Plain Records The Amos Garrett Jazz Trio’s motto is “bringing blues back to jazz.” On their debut album, Jazzblues, they do exactly that. The album, released today, is the perfect soundtrack to the steamy summer that is headed into Manhattan. As…
The Roys – Gypsy Runaway Train *** ½ (out of 4 stars) Label: Rural Rhythm Records They just get better and better. I’m not just talking about The Roys, I’m also talking about their song choices, their ability to differentiate themselves from the many other bluegrass acts and their heartfelt, relaxed delivery. I’m talking about…
Rian Greene – Drown The Miller *** (out of 4 stars) Label: Post Oak Records Singer-songwriter Rian Greene will release his new album, Drown the Miller, on June 4. As a songwriter of Americana/country music, Greene is supremely talented, placing as much value on the lyric as the melody. The compositions gain strength from their…
Mike Scott & Friends – Home Sweet Home *** (out of 4 stars) Label: Rural Rhythm Records I’ll admit it — I’m not a penny whistle lovin’ kind of guy. I also have no patience for streetbuskers playing dulcimers, whether it’s at a Renaissance Faire or at an old time Christmas market. But when the…
Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell – Old Yellow Moon **** (out of 4 stars) Label: Nonesuch Records Every so often a song from long ago continually finds its way into our consciousness. After a few generations of artist record and leave their imprint on it, the song falls into the “classic” category. For the song…
Frank Bang & the Secret Stash – Double Dare ***½ (out of 4 stars) Label: Blue Hoss It’s been a few years since his last album, but in that time apparently Frank Bang (who is a natural) just got better and better (if that’s possible). Frank Bang, the roots guitarist who spent years playing with…
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