(My humble vote for “Best yet in ‘07″) You’ve heard of the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon?” I prefer the “Six Degrees of Richard Thompson.” As a nascent Folk-Rock fan, I took a gamble on a little album called Shoot Out the Lights, and the floodgates opened. From producer Joe Boyd, I followed [...] more »

Sat, Jul 14, 2007 | 0 Comments

The cover of Richard Thompson’s latest CD is no accident — each song on Sweet Warrior is a battle of sorts, and the vintage French photo (no, it’s not from RT’s baby book) illustrates its stark subject matter. Sweet Warrior navigates territory as dark and familiar as RT’s trademark beret: Unrequited love (”Needle and Thread,” “Too [...] more »

Tue, May 22, 2007 | 5 Comments

The best album not on CD…is finally on CD. Rhino Records rescued Warren Zevon’s classic live album from Asylum’s vaults and released an expanded and remastered version in late March. This album isn’t just live; it’s ALIVE — a vicious assault on songs taken (mostly) from Zevon’s first (and best) two albums. Almost without [...] more »

Thu, Apr 12, 2007 | 4 Comments

Though they orginated in Dublin, the Young Dubliners’ turbo charged sound owes more to Alternative Pop than Irish Pub Rock. Over the years, they have merely peppered their six albums and their concerts with traditional Irish tunes; but when they DO perform authentic Irish, the results have been outstanding, and fans have cried out [...] more »

Tue, Mar 13, 2007 | 0 Comments

Good concerts come to my South Florida town about as often as cold fronts. The dearth of viable venues south of the Carolinas and the unusual length of the peninsula discourage artists from making the long trip. Sure, the major acts fly in from time to time. You can still watch the Billy Joel [...] more »

Tue, Feb 13, 2007 | 4 Comments

I waited 24 years for The Who (my favorite band) to release a new album, and it didn’t make my 10-best list! What a drag. Oh well, maybe they’ll get it right in 2030. Not to worry, there were plenty of discs to celebrate in 2006. Drum roll… #1 John Gorka Writing in the [...] more »

Sun, Dec 31, 2006 | 0 Comments

Tired of your Manheim Steamroller and Manillow Christmas CD’s? Here are ten venerable holiday albums to consider. Feel free to respond and share your picks. #1 Bing Crosby Christmas Classics 1962 My favorite pick is a bit of a curveball; while many favor the 1940’s White Christmas-era recordings of a younger Bing Crosby, this 1962 Capitol release is [...] more »

Fri, Dec 08, 2006 | 4 Comments

“My dream came true. I saw America changed through music.” As a Grammy Awards audience acknowledged his genius, a frail Harry Smith, months before his death, basked in the recognition that had eluded him for a half century. The importance of his landmark Anthology of American Folk Music cannot be overstated: it [...] more »

Fri, Nov 17, 2006 | 0 Comments

When asked about remaking his favorite songs, Scott Loomer remarked, “You don’t cover ‘Crazy’ unless you’re Patsy Cline, which we’re not.” That’s a taste of the wit and wisdom that makes Loomer (the band) so appealing. No flash, no pretense, Songs from the Wild West Island is just a solid batch of songs that pierce [...] more »

Mon, Oct 30, 2006 | 3 Comments

Rhino does it again! Remastered, repackaged and revived editions of the first five Pogues albums were released in America last week (their entire catalog was reissued in the UK in 2005). Supervised by the band, the remastered sound is sterling, and the 29 bonus tracks should satisfy any completist — they include the [...] more »

Sun, Oct 01, 2006 | 0 Comments

I was reminded of John Gorka while watching a Judy Garland biography on PBS last week; he wrote a character sketch of the actress on his first album, detailing the movie studio mistreatment that contributed to her tragic struggles. It was a fledgling example of his ability to report the human condition with keen [...] more »

Mon, Sep 04, 2006 | 1 Comment

Still catching up. Here’s four more releases that captured my attention in 2006. Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint: The River in Reverse If you have the time, click here for a marvelous read. It’s a list of Elvis Costello’s top 500 recommended albums — an extremely diverse list, which illustrates his willingness to embrace virtually any [...] more »

Fri, Aug 04, 2006 | 1 Comment

First, the best. Next week, the rest. This week, I’m presenting my top nugget from ‘06. If you missed this gem when it came out in April, give it a look. Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris: All the Roadrunning When the soaring title song from “All the Roadrunning” was released on a Dire Straits/Mark [...] more »

Tue, Jul 25, 2006 | 0 Comments

Hard to believe the year’s half over. I’m gonna beat the Christmas rush and muse about some notable releases from the first half of ‘06. This week: the tribute albums. Sail Away: The Songs of Randy Newman One of the more fascinating releases this year, this tribute pairs Randy Newman’s songs of the South with [...] more »

Sun, Jul 16, 2006 | 3 Comments

In the 200 years since Irish-Scots settlers crossed the broad Atlantic, their instruments, tunes and stories have dramatically affected the music of the Appalachian region, an antecedent of many of the rootsy styles we lovingly call “Twang.” Irish Folk and traditional Celtic music is a proud living tradition, rich in history, poetic, entertaining, and intensely expressive. [...] more »

Fri, Mar 17, 2006 | 0 Comments