The Americana troubadour evolves into a plumber of the soul on his fine new album. I imagine him sitting back in a cracked leather easy chair, letting out a long slow breath, and surveying the haste and waste of the world around him before starting work on these songs.
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Music Review: Hillbilly Vegas – ‘76’ EP
Lovers of rock and country will no doubt appreciate the thought put into each track on this EP.
Read More »Music Review: Fanfare Ciocarlia – ‘Onwards to Mars’
Fanfare Ciocarlia's 'Onwards to Mars' continues to break all stereotypes you might have about a brass band.
Read More »Music Review: Babymetal – ‘Metal Resistance’ Is No Sophomore Slump
From beginning to end, 'Metal Resistance' is more than a solid second album from the devilsh trio, but it shows continued growth and more comfort with coming into their own. Babymetal proves they have what it takes to continue in this industry so ready to throw newcomers to the wolves.
Read More »Music Reviews: Jim Cullum’s ‘Porgy and Bess Live’ and The Oatmeal Jazz Combo’s ‘Instant Oats’
One of the long-running Jim Cullum Jazz Band's great achievements is its jazz-band version of 'Porgy and Bess,' now available on a two-CD set, including narration by William Warfield, who played Porgy on stage many times.
Read More »Music Review: Darren English – ‘Imagine Nation’
If his debut is any indication, both as composer and performer, Darren English is a force to be reckoned with.
Read More »Concert Review: The Kinnara Ensemble (NYC, April 10 2016)
The impressive (and overdue) New York City debut of a wonderfully accomplished professional ensemble took place in the amenable space of Christ Church United Methodist and featured works for double chorus by Brahms, Gabrieli, and Randall Thompson.
Read More »Music Review: Bill Evans – ‘Some Other Time: The Lost Session from the Black Forest’
'Some Other Time' is a welcome addition to the Bill Evans canon.
Read More »Music Review: Rich Robinson – ‘Paper’ [2016 Reissue]
While not bad, 'Paper' could benefit from less layering and stronger vocals, as well as a unifying theme.
Read More »Music Review: Mary Chapin Carpenter – ‘The Things That We Are Made Of’
Carpenter has always been a master of setting imagistic, earthy, poetic lyrics to deceptively simple melodies that carry emotional meaning of their own.
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