Both are 86 this year, have defined their genre, and are still going strong. Are you appreciating them enough? Willie Nelson’s latest album has him in wonderfully relaxed form, teamed with Barry Bales/b, Jim Brown/key, Fred Eltringham/dr and other…
Month: August 2019
Matthew Whitaker: Now Hear This
I never heard Matthew Whitaker’s debut album, but this second release is so impressive I want to go check it out. His life story is that this 18 year old young man was blind since birth, learned to play the …
James Darren: The Complete Singles and Albums 1958-62
Although largely forgotten today due to the onslaught of the British Invasion that obscured all the bowdlerized Elvis replacements, James Darren was at one time a major film and recording star. He “crossed over” from teen films like “Gidget” to…
LADIES AT THE MIC…MaryJo Mundy: The Fourteen Confession-Songs of Laura Nyro, Lyn Stanley: London With A Twist, The Vivino Sisters: DNA, Deb Bowman: Fast Heart
Women with something to sing about… Strong voiced vocalist MaryJo Mundy gives a tribute concert to Laura Nyro at the Gardena nightclub in Hollywood CA back in April, 2018. She’s backed by Ross Kalling/p, Tony Mandracchia/g, Jonathan Richards/b , John…
Kristen R. Bromley Trio: Simply Miraculous
Guitarist Kristen R. Bromley shows taste and mastery as she leads a trio session with drummer Jay Lawrence and bassist Matt Larson on this collection of originals and traditionals. Of the former, Bromley’s tone is able to get wide ranging…
Jonathan Ng: Dreaming On My Feet
Here’s a new artist on the block that shows a lot of promise in a variety of ways. Jonathan Ng plays violin in the style of Stephane Grappelli in the Hot Club of France on this gypsy swinging ep along…
Robert Berry: The Rules Have Changed
A number of years ago, bassist Robert Berry got together with famed keyboardist Keith Emerson to create a logical extension of the famed group ELP. Ideas and tracks were being put together, but tragically Emerson came to an untimely death,…
Denny Laine’s Moody Wing Band@Bogies Bar 08.05.19
Just before the two hour concert, Rock Hall of Famer Denny Laine indulged to me that he is working on his musical biography. If the book promises to be as encyclopedic as the smorgasbord of sounds from Monday’s show, the…
FRESH SOUND AND GUITAR STRINGS…Xavier Lecouturier: Carrier; Erik Skov: Liminality
Here are a pair of guitarists on the Origin label that show a positive future for jazz. Drummer Xavier Lecouturier features guitarist Lucas Winter in an excellent light along with his band of Ben Feldman/b, Gus Carns/p, Santosh Sharma/ts-EWI and…
Jon Batiste: Anatomy of Angels-Live At The Village Vanguard
Louisiana born and bred pianist Jon Batiste mixes his deep roots with explorations into the future during a recording of his 6 night residency last year at the Village Vanguard. The use of material from various nights make for a…