Maci Miller delivers concise readings of standards supported by only the rich guitar musings of David O’Rourke. Miller’s voice ranges from a Betty Boopy sly tweet as on “You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To” all the way to…
Month: April 2020
Joe Bonamassa: The Sleep Eazys-Easy to Buy, Hard to Sell
For my ears, guitar wizard Joe Bonamassa always sounds best when he steps away from his regular persona and takes on one of his aliases like Rock Candy Funk Party or Black Country. He’s done it again with his new…
Ted Poor: You Already Know
Ted Poor’s drums are out and in front on this album with him also playing piano, harmonium and some percussion along with Andrew D’Angelo/as, Blake Mills/g-b-p, Sebastian Steinberg-Paul Kowert/b and a string section of Andrew Bird/vi and Rob Moose/vi-va-cel. The…
Jean-Louis Matinier & Kevin Seddiki: Rivages
A mix of rich folk moods and harmonics are created by Jean-Louis Matinier on the accordion and guitarist Kevin Seddiki on this bohemian ensemble of tunes. Matinier does masterly work with his squeeze box, as you can hear the buttons…
YOUNG SOULS…Motown-The Early Years; Complete Releases 1960-62
Before Motown hit the big time with groups like The Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye and the Four Tops, they were trying to gain traction and a sound of their own between 1957-62. These three discs give a fascinating display…
SIX STRING GUNNER…Joe Satriani: Shapeshifting
You know a guy takes his guitar seriously when in his latest album Joe Satriani lists his “Master Guitar Tech” (Mike Manning), “Master Luthier” (Gary Brewer) and “Master Amp Guru” (Chris Barnett) along with his instrumental team of Chris Chaney/b,…
Josh Nelson Trio: The Discovery Project-Live In Japan
This trio album by Josh Nelson shows why he’s one of the most in-demand and busiest of LA pianists, gigging in sets ranging from vocalists to adventurous post bop. This album with bassist Alex Boneham and drummer Dan Schnelle finds…
Wolfgang Muthspiel: Angular Blues
Rich and pastoral interplay is created by guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel as he leads a symbiotic trio with Scott Colley on bass and deft drummer Brian Blade. Except for his acoustic work on the elliptical title track, he’s sticks to electrical,…
MORE OF THE BEST VOICES THAT TIME FORGOT! Renee Raff: Among The Stars/Pat Dahl: We Dig Pat Dahl, Cathy Hayes: It’s All Right With Me/Lu Ann Simms: At Separate Tables, Dick Williams: Love Is Nothin’ But Blues/Larry Hovis: My Heart Belongs To Only You
It’s simply bewildering how many excellent vocalists have been overlooked over the years. Each of these single disc reissues of two albums is chock full of wonderful and personal singing that is going to make you wonder “how did I…
Jazz At Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis: Black, Brown and Beige
Duke Ellington’s famously ambitious tribute Black, Brown and Beige was debuted back in January 23, 1943 to an indifferent audience, as the original presentation was a weighty affair for fans of the Swing Era. Almost 4 score years later, Wynton…