Compact Capsulesby Dan Ferguson Justin Townes EarleHarlem River BluesBloodshot Records The new Harlem River Blues marks Justin Townes Earle’s first recording since relocating to Brooklyn from Nashville. Ironically, Earle returned to Nashville to make the recording, though, draws heavily from the New York experience in his […]
Compact Capsulesby Dan Ferguson Eilen JewellButcher Holler: A Tribute to Loretta LynnSignature Sounds Records If you’ve caught an Eilen Jewell Band show any time over the last several years, you’re probably aware of her fondness for Loretta Lynn. Frankly speaking, hardly a show goes by without […]
Compact Capsulesby Dan Ferguson Recent releases from performers appearing at the 2010 Rhythm & Roots Festival happening Labor Day weekend at Ninigret Park in Charlestown are in the spotlight this week. A decade between albums is a long time. In the case of the Texas Tornados […]
Compact Capsules by Dan Ferguson The RussiansCrashing the PartyMoontower Records Bay State pop craftsmen Sam Janovitz offers up a highly engaging new album. Working under the name The Russians and pulling in an “A” team of Beantown band talent into his collective (Russ Chudnofsky, Mike Gent, […]
Compact Capsules for August 3, 2010by Dan Ferguson PhosphorescentHere’s to Taking It EasyDead Oceans Records DOC025Best country record of 2009? A strong case could sure be made for To Willie from Phosphorescent. A woozy beaut of an album, it found Brooklyn-based Matthew Houck and band aping […]
Compact Capsulesby Dan Ferguson Andre WilliamsThat’s All I NeedBloodshot Records BS171 Live fast, love hard, die young? For 70-plus year old R&B legend Andre Williams, two out of three is only a plus for fans. With That’s All I Need, Williams proves there’s still ample gas […]
Compact Capsulesby Dan Ferguson Peter CaseWig!Yep Roc Records YEP-2222 18 months after open heart surgery and with a new lease on life, singer/songwriter Peter Case demonstrates serious mojo on his latest called Wig! A trio configuration with Ron Franklin on guitars, DJ Bonebreak (X, Knitters) on […]
Compact Capsules for May 20, 2010by Dan Ferguson The annual South-by-Southwest confab in March is all about discovery and with a few months to let it soak in, releases from several folks who knocked the socks off are spotlighted this week. Austin is home to the […]
Compact Capsules for May 7, 2010by Dan Ferguson Drive-By TruckersThe Big To-DoATO Records ATO0084 New record label, same old Drive-By Truckers. On their ATO Records debut titled The Big To-Do, this well-oiled and highly seasoned machine comes out guitars-a-blazing. Nothing unusual there with ear-catching riffs aplenty. […]
Compact Capsules for April 30, 2010by Dan Ferguson The Texas SapphiresAs He WandersIke Records IR002 Shades of Gram & Emmylou and George & Tammy, for that matter, are evoked by the sophomore release As He Wanders from Austin-based country act The Texas Sapphires. Fronting guy-gal vocal […]
