“I made my opportunities, but I never got the breaks I should have gotten. I was a jack-of-all-trades. More soul than Marvin, more funk than James. If I’d gone pop, you’d be talkin’ about me, not them. I rate right at the top, though I’ve been […]
Compact Capsulesby Dan Ferguson The City ChampsThe Set-UpElectraphonic Records ER 105 Must be that Memphis water. Jonesing for some Booker T. & the MGs sound with a contemporary-ish edge without sacrificing the soulful swells of that trademark organ B3 underpinning? Well, The City Champs is the […]
Compact Capsulesby Dan Ferguson Whitey Morgan & the 78sSelf-titledBloodshot BS176 Not unlike these parts, it’s also hard times in the Motor City. In these kinds of times, sometimes there’s no more perfect escape for the downtrodden than a few cold ones in the honky tonk and […]
Compact Capsulesby Dan Ferguson Duke RobillardPassport to the BluesStoney Plain Records Local blues guitar demigod Duke Robillard is smiling pretty big on the cover of his new Passport to the Blues. The joyousness translates straight from cover to contents with Robillard spreading the wings wide, so […]
Compact Capsulesby Dan Ferguson L.A. based indie Anti Records has terrific balance. It’s a label that pays heed as much to the old sages (Tom Waits, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot) and pioneers (Bettye LaVette) as it does contemporary movers and shakers (Neko Case). Most importantly, the label […]
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 […]
