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7/13/2024 Crow and Gazelle (from the album As Above Now So BelowCrow and Gazelle (from the album As Above Now So Below available as a self-release) (by Lee Zimmerman)
Crow and Gazelle is the unlikely name given singer/songwriters Mike McClure and Chrislyn Lawrence, although, which one takes the guise of Crow and which goes by Gazelle isn’t entirely clear. No matter though; on this, their debut album, their personal and professional relationship appears wholly in sync. The duo, who initially met 20 years ago, parted ways, and then reconnected in 2018, create a soft, subdued sound entirely of their own making, with occasional cello, keys, accordion, fiddle, bass, and mandola added in subtle increments. It’s a lovely brew, with the spare arrangements underscoring the pair’s hushed harmonies and the decidedly delicate designs. Both quiet and contemplative, songs titled “Closer to Heaven”, Love Into Zion”, “Still Free To Fly”, and “These Are the Days” offer a hint of what appears to be a perpetually upward gaze. Crow and Gazelle seem clearly committed to taking a spiritual sojourn through their music, one that travels between such touchstones as love, grief, anxiety, addiction, and religious reawakening. So too, the couple treats each topic as a kind of personal soliloquy, fully imbued with tenderness and devotion. Whether it’s the solemn yet steadfast title track, the delicate yet decisive “Closer to Heaven” or the soothing yet sensual “Still Free To Fly”, the tender trappings manage to hold sway. Crow and Gazelle cast a calming caress overall, one that provides assurance, comfort and consolation through each of these entries. While some may find As Above Now So Below a bit precious at times, it’s hard to argue with the couple’s intents. At a time when trouble and trauma are pulling at the fabric of society and leaving so many people with uncertainty in their wake, Crow and Gazelle provide a soothing salve via a sense of optimism and assurance. Ultimately, they leave no doubt that music and meditation can shared as a common cause. (by Lee Zimmerman) Listen and buy the music of Crow and Gazelle from AMAZON For more information, please visit the Crow and Gazelle website The Blog Tags widget will appear here on the published site.
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7/13/2024 Steve Dawson (from the album GhostsSteve Dawson (from the album Ghosts on Pravda Records) (By Lee Zimmerman)
Steve Dawson’s sixth solo album, Ghosts, finds him exploring all kinds of terrain, both physical and metaphysical as well. Dawson, one of the helmsmen of the Alternative Country band known as Dolly Varden, delves into subjects that can be uncomfortable to confront — small town prejudice, a world where one is confronted by the obtuse and unexpected, and disparate imagery that often isn’t all it seems. Nevertheless, Dawson shares a soothing sound, offering a series of mellow melodies that belie the harsh realities that occasionally cross his path. The steel guitar sway of “Walking Cane” questions the sudden upsurge in turbulence and tenacity, but does so in such a way that entices the listener to join his journey. The autobiographical tale of “Leadville” details the hard-luck existence his experienced early on, all within the context of his own reflections and realizations. “It Was a Mistake” finds the singer owning up to earlier missteps, but doing so in a way that exudes his courage and conviction. Nevertheless, there’s hope within the happenstance, as expressed on the easy, ambling opening track “Let Some Light In”, his uplifting ode to the Golden State, “Oh California”, and the joy and jubilance shared so eloquently in “I Am Glad to Be Alive”. ‘I am glad to be alive’ Dawson sings ‘to feel the ache in my side, the motion of the tide’. Where Dawson’s earlier efforts were mainly of his own making, Ghosts finds him recruiting an exceptional group of friends and fellow travelers from his native Chicago — Diane Christiansen, his partner in Dolly Varden, and singer Nora O’Connor, to contribute the harmonies, Alton Smith, who provides the extended piano coda on “When I Finally Let You Down” along with saxophonist Chris Greene and trumpeter John Moore who add the expressive brass flourish to the soulful sound of “It Was A Mistake”. Pedal steel player Brian Wilkie makes the most marked impression throughout, providing a sweet and serene tone to the majority of these tracks and lending a calming effect to the proceedings as a whole. In certain respects, Ghosts could be considered a haunting and harrowing series of songs. Yet in the end, it’s uplifting and engaging to a much greater degree. Ultimately, it’s Dawson’s determination that wins out. (by Lee Zimmerman) Listen and buy the music of Steve Dawson from AMAZON Please visit the Steve Dawson website for more information The Blog Tags widget will appear here on the published site.
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7/6/2024 Various Artists (from the album Petty CountryVarious Artists (from the album Petty Country available on Petty Legacy/Big Machine Label Group) (by Danny McCloskey)
Lovingly curated by longtime friends and collaborators, Petty Country: A Country Music Tribute to Tom Petty collects tracks from the Rock’n’Roller’s catalog, and reimagines the tunes with A-List musicians. Willie and Lukas Nelson pair up on “Angel Dream (No.2) while Steve Earle declares “Yer So Bad”, Margo Price, with Petty bandmate Mike Campbell, counts “Ways to Be Wicked”, and Rhiannon Giddens, joined by Heartbreaker Benmont Tench and Silkroad Ensemble, warns “Don’t Come ‘Round Here No More”. Petty Country is a stellar tribute to an American icon. Jamey Johnson tenderly delivers an acoustic take for “I Forgive It All”, Eli Young Band raise a honky tonk ruckus in “Learning to Fly”, Wynonna, alongside Lainey Wilson, delivers a Rock’n’Country punch with “Refugee”, Dolly Parton sings of “Southern Accents”, and George Strait offers a live version of “You Wreck Me”. The special showcase highlights how the late rocker’s southern roots shaped his music and his continued influence on new generations of Country music artists, featuring several artifacts seen in the Southern Accents music video, from Petty’s wide-ranging and generation-defining career—such as tour assets from his 2001 Way Out West tour, an iconic Nudie suit inspired ‘Planets’ blazer worn famously during his 1985 Southern Accents tour, “Southern Accents” handwritten song lyrics, western style wardrobe pieces worn on and off stage and Petty’s Gretsch 6130 Roundup Western electric guitar. The display is included with museum admission and runs through summer 2025 as an extension of their acclaimed Western Edge exhibit. (by Danny McCloskey) Listen and buy the music of Petty Country from AMAZON For more info, check out the Petty Country website The Blog Tags widget will appear here on the published site.
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7/6/2024 Jessie Baylin (from the album Strawberry WindJessie Baylin (from the album Strawberry Wind available on Blond Rat Records) (by Lee Zimmerman)
Jessie Baylin is unfailingly chipper and cheery on an album that offers more than a hint of her upbeat attitude courtesy of its decidedly telling title. Indeed, with songs decidedly dubbed “Dream Catcher”, “Sparkle Shoelaces”, “Magic of Your Mind”, “It’s the Summertime”, “I Can Bring Love”, and “A Beautiful Life”, it’s apparent from the outset that Jessie Baylin is prepared to spread good cheer and a giddy, good natured outlook by way of her sunny soundscapes. Happily, then, the music bears that out. “Dream Catcher” offers a sweet sashay, generously infused through a series of ‘la-la-la’s’ sung throughout. The irrepressible “Same Old Tune” shares the same, while the shimmering sound of “Sparkle Shoelaces” adds to that sense of celebration. ‘The world is wide open’ Jessie Baylin suggests on the title track, and indeed, as the album progresses, it becomes clear that there’s nothing at all to intrude on her effervescent attitude. The perky and persuasive “Magic of Your Mind”, the sweet and soothing “I Am a Dreamer”, and the delightfully bucolic “Power In Words” further that notion entirely. So too, when Baylin declares ‘we need each other ‘ on the song of the same name, her overt optimism is fully-fueled. The deluxe edition of Strawberry Wind boasts an additional four tracks, enhancing the sweet sentiments and the melodic merriment to an even greater degree. Given the darkness and depression that litters the landscape these days, Baylin seems determined to buck the tide and remind her listeners that happiness can be found if one is willing to dig a little deeper. Of course, skeptics and pessimists will likely dismiss that notion as simply part of her Pollyanna-like precepts. No matter. When Jessie Baylin states ‘I can bring love, that’s all I got’ it’s clear she’s simply happy to deliver. (by Lee Zimmerman) Listen and buy the music of Jessie Baylin from AMAZON Please visit the Jessie Baylin website for more information The Blog Tags widget will appear here on the published site.
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7/6/2024 Jesse Daniel (from the album Countin’ the MilesJesse Daniel (from the album Countin’ the Miles available on Lightning Rod Records) (by Bryant Liggett)
Jesse Daniel makes Country music. Not Alt-Country or New Country, but Country of the classic vein. Storytelling of rural living, heart, home, and the highway, keying into the life and all things human. Countin’ the Miles may have a 2024 date but this could be 1964 or 1974, a record with a vibe that’s part outlaw, part Bakersfield, and just enough twang and rock to make it appealing for the most elite and/or Roots Country fans. “That’s My Kind of Country”, where Jesse Daniel sings of rural American living like ‘shooting guns and catching big ol’ rainbow trout’, would pack a sawdust covered dance floor. The title track road song for Countin’ the Miles is your score for blasting down the highway, a ripper where the pedal steel lives just behind the guitar lead and vocals. “Ol’ Montana” is a heavy, kill your ex’s current lover, murder ballad, “Restless” is a nod to the past of old rowdy friends and a good bar with a better jukebox while pining for a steady homelife, and “Lonesome Blues” is a cowpunk ripper. “Tomorrows Good Old Days” is a cut that looks for the better life of the past with simpler living, something people may agree on coming from the left or the right, and the closer in “Cut Me Loose” is another ripper with that late 70’s, country groove. This is a record also loaded with quotable memories; ‘Good and bad things that you do will end up at your door/ from “Comin’ Apart at the Seams” and ‘just because you plant the seed doesn’t mean your garden grows’ are gems. A stacked band with every instrument needed for your Country Rock band, memorable lyrics and hook heavy Country is a great recipe for a keeper. (by Bryant Liggett) Listen and buy the music of Jesse Daniel from AMAZON For more info, check out the Jesse Daniel website The Blog Tags widget will appear here on the published site.
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7/6/2024 The Felice Brothers (from the album Valley of Abandoned SongsThe Felice Brothers (from the album Valley of Abandoned Songs available on Million Stars Records) (by Danny McCloskey)
The Felice Brothers do what they do best as they open Valley of Abandoned Songs, their recent release. They a tell story. On opening cut, The Felice Brothers introduce a lady on stage at a West Hollywood venue with “Crime Scene Queen”. Asking ‘are you as high as Mr. Albert was’ when entering the observations of “Flowers by The Roadside”, fleshing out lost love with “Black Is My True Love’s Hair”, floating on the gothic textures of “Let Me Ride Away with the Horseman”, and speaking of “Birdies” on a front porch jam. The experience of a song from The Felice Brothers is an all-encompassing immersion. The musical background as much a part of the story as the words, Valley of Abandoned Songs collects thirteen tracks that stage stand-alone stories against melodies that drift and march throughout album. Ian Felice hears Valley of Abandoned Songs as ‘a tightrope walk between light and dark in these songs between the magical wonder of existence and the ever-present sense of impending doom that comes with it. This album is my way of reconciling those things’. The tracks support the definition when “New York by Moonlight” finds beauty in the over-urban sprawl of the city as raggedy acoustic chords begin the marching rhythms for “Tomorrow is Just a Dream Away” while a church-basement piano pounds out a beat for the spirit serving questions of “It’s Midnight and the Doves Are in Tears” and “Stranger’s Arms” slowly walks across a west coast memory falling like the rain outside in the story. Valley of Abandoned Songs showcases the stories of The Felice Brothers, spinning from the fables of “Racoon, Rooster and Crow” through bright-beat wishful optimism of “Younger as the Days Go By”. (by Danny McCloskey) Listen and buy the music of The Felice Brothers from AMAZON For more info, check out The Felice Brothers website The Blog Tags widget will appear here on the published site.
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7/6/2024 Kitchen Dwellers (from the album Seven DevilsKitchen Dwellers (from the album Seven Devils available on No Coincidence Records) (by Lee Zimmerman)
Kitchen Dwellers may seem a somewhat odd handle for a band that dabbles in both Bluegrass and Americana but the elusive nature of their name has little to do with the music the have made over the course of their three previous studio efforts. This time around, the Montana-based quartet — consisting of Joe Funk (bass, vocals), Torrin Daniels (banjo, vocals), Max Davies (acoustic guitar, vocals), and Shawn Swain (mandolin) — take an unexpected turn, courtesy of a concept album that takes its impetus and inspiration from a most unusual source, that being Dante’s ‘Inferno’. Each song in the set is meant to correlate to a certain sin, with the idea being that struggle and survival are inherently intertwined in a worrisome world. Of course, there are those who might view the approach with some degree of skepticism, and even the most casual observer might be inclined to believe this overarched theme is the result of posturing and pretension. Fortunately, then, it’s really only the music that matters given that the sound might mostly be defined as populist Nu-Grass, similar in stance to Town Mountain, Punch Brothers, and Steep Canyon Rangers. The songs are readily accessible, with the title track and “Pendulum” coming across, at least in part, as pure romps and all plucks and strums. That said, “Seven Devils (Limbo)” veers into a more didactic instrumental excursion that borders on straight-ahead rock and roll riffing. “Cabin Pressure (IV)” is positively joyful, clearly belying the more sinister aspects of the album’s premise. Likewise, the upbeat instrumental “Drop Time”, the celebratory “Here We Go (VI)”, and the solid, straight-ahead pair “Wind Bitten (VII)” and “Unwind (Paradiso)” share a frenzy and fury that can’t help but ensure added enticement. Ultimately then, the idea of working one’s way through the depths of Hades seems somewhat secondary as far as the music is concerned. A closer listen to the lyrics might change that impression, but, overall, Seven Devils seems more happy-go-lucky than devil-may-care. (by Lee Zimmerman) Listen and buy the music of Kitchen Dwellers from AMAZON Please visit the Kitchen Dwellers website for more information The Blog Tags widget will appear here on the published site.
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7/6/2024 The Brother Brothers (from the album The January AlbumThe Brother Brothers (from the album The January Album available on Stumbling Rose Records) (by Danny McCloskey)
Identical twins Adam (violin, vocals) and David (guitar, vocals) Moss (aka The Brother Brothers) created The January Album in early 2021, the pair utilizing the unique experiences unearthed by the times, and the humanity that was put under a microscopic spotlight. The January Album was itself singular for The Brother Brothers, the duo feeling that ‘this is our most collaborative effort to date. The fact that we wrote so many of these songs together, and intentionally arranged them together, makes us feel like we’ve finally arrived at our ‘sound!’. Stretching the boundaries of Indie Folk, the sound of The January Album is inclusiveness when opening track “Lonesome” takes advantage of Indie music’s expansive song structure as “The Illinois River Song” brings the playing to the front porch. Sending out a memory for “Morgantown” The Brother Brothers steer The January Album onto the highway for “Ranch Road 12”, stand in the light of “Supermoon” wrapped with fragile acoustics, and read an open letter, using a song to tell the story in “Dear John”. The Moss brothers have an outlook on the world as distinctive as their sibling harmonies. The January Album sings of a garden with “Friend in Hand” as it finds a swinging door to walk through for “Be My Bartender”, and roots up a tale of trees in “Cedar Branch”. Indie Folk dappled with African guitar lines surround The Brother Brothers in “Comes and Goes” as they weigh in on the attention given to social media and hand-held devices in “Brown Dog”. (by Danny McCloskey) Listen and buy the music of The Brother Brothers from AMAZON Visit The Brother Brothers website for more information The Blog Tags widget will appear here on the published site.
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6/29/2024 Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (from the album South of HereNathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (from the album South of Here on Stax Records/Concord) (by Brian Rock)
Soulful Americana stalwarts Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats search for answers on their fourth album South of Here. Singing songs of introspection and reflection, the band shifts gears from their earlier Gospel-tinged Soul to a more nuanced, Soul-tinged Folk. Rateliff’s vocals accordingly shift from the Wilson Pickett intensity of earlier work to a more relaxed Drew Holcomb-tone. Waxing more philosophic, Rateliff & the Night Sweats take inspiration from Folk Rock heroes past and present to create a rousing soundtrack of soul searching and self-discovery. “David and Goliath” starts the set with a tip of the hat tribute to Harry Nilsson’s early 70’s hit “Gotta Get Up”. Staccato piano chords reflect a cycle of tension as Rateliff sings ‘can I get out of my head? I don’t know. Will somebody let me go if I’m falling?’. Whereas Nilsson’s tune focused on meeting the external challenges of the day, Nathaniel Rateliff and company focus on battling inner demons. The tension builds to the chorus, where pulsing horns add to the drama as Rateliff cries ‘I’ll find a way out!’. Like the diminutive David fighting the colossal Goliath, Rateliff is determined to win no matter what the odds. This song is an uplifting ode to defeating your enemies, even if your worst enemy is yourself. “Heartless” captures the Heartland rhythms of John Mellencamp. “Remember I Was a Dancer” recalls Paul Simon. “Get Used to the Night,” is a tender Springsteen-esque ballad about coping with growing older and loss. All three songs reflect on the past, and how its clarity distorts over time. In seeking answers, Rateliff & The Night Sweats rightfully start with the past, but soon realize the past is often an unreliable resource. Focusing on the present on South of Here Rateliff moans ‘I just slam the window closed if I can’t take it no more’. The music captures a majestic tone like The Band meeting Jason Isbell as the group grapples with facing reality, or seeking a new reality elsewhere. “Everybody Wants Something” recalls the Folk anthem stylings of Drew Holcomb as Rateliff realizes that he is ‘looking for something, I just don’t know how to see it’. “Center of Me” is a ballad of introspection. As he seeks self-realization Nathaniel Rateliff asks ‘does it have to be now?’. Unable to find answers in either the past or the present, Rateliff and company turn their hopes to the future. “I Would Like to Heal” shares the dreamy Folk harmonies of The Milk Carton Kids. Gaining a measure of faith and hope, Rateliff sings ‘in my letting go, I find some space to grow’. “Call Me (Whatever You Like)” channels the angry, New Wave energy of Elvis Costello as the band learns to let go of attachments to labels. Putting things in perspective on “Time Makes Fools of Us All”, Rateliff realizes the futility of trying to define something that keeps changing. Capturing the energy and angst of Willie Nile’s “The Day the Earth Stood Still” Nathaniel Rateliff sees that trying to figure out who we are distracts us from ‘being’ who we are. As time passes, we realize too late how much we’ve missed chasing our own shadows. The album conveys a thoughtful, carpe diem message in a variety of Folk Rock tones. Having made their point, the band proves they can still bring the full tilt Stax Soul sound on “Cars in the Desert”. If the rest of the album was encouraging us to live in the moment, this song does just that. Again, posing questions of self-worth; Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats rock out in full force. Emphasizing the message to live in the moment even when you don’t have all the answers, the rousing horn section and pounding drums drive home the point with every note. (by Brian Rock) Listen and buy the music of Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats from AMAZON For more info, check out the Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats website The Blog Tags widget will appear here on the published site.
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6/29/2024 Various Artists (from the album My Black Country: The Songs of Alice RandallVarious Artists (from the album My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall available on Oh Boy! Records) (by Danny McCloskey)
A Cavalcade of Stars was an early television show, the first program that featured Jackie Gleason as a host, debuting in 1950. While the term Cavalcade of Stars began was short-lived in a past entertainment history, the banner needs waved high for the collection of songs making up My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall. The album is an A-team guest list, beginning with the woman whose music is tributed in My Black Country. Alice Randall is Nashville royalty. She has been submitting songs on Music Row in the Country market for 41 years, placing a #1 on a co-write (with Matraca Berg) for Trisha Yearwood’s “XXX’s and OOO’s”. Additionally, Alice Randall expands beyond the world of music, working as a lecturer and speaker as well as an author for The Wind Done Gone, a parody of Gone with the Wind, and her memoir, My Black Country. Produced by Ebonie Smith (Sturgill Simpson, Janelle Monae, Hamilton), My Black Country is the musical companion to Alice Randall’s autobiography of the same name. The album partners the songs that have carved out a career for her on Music Row with the strongest black female voices in the current musical world. Leyla McCalla opens My Black Country with “Small Towns (Are Smaller for Girls)” while Rhiannon Giddens spins a reel for “The Ballad of Sally Anne” and quiet Folk chords hush the acoustic guitar notes darkly sparkling underneath Sunny War’s “Solitary Heroes”. My Black Country reimagines Country songs with a Country Folk texture when a banjo leads the way into Alison Russell’s singing of “Many Mansions” while Valerie June shares the tale of a lifelong friend with “Big Dream” and Adia Victoria follows a heartbeat rhythm in “Went for a Ride”. Miko Marks caresses “I’ll Cry for Yours (Will You Cry for Mine)” with an Americana Soul backed with street parade horns as Alice Randall’s daughter, Caroline Randall Williams, closes out My Black Country with a Soul poetry reading for “XXX’s and OOO’s”. (by Danny McCloskey) Listen and buy the music of My Black Country from AMAZON For more info, check out the My Black Country website The Blog Tags widget will appear here on the published site.
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