If you’re looking for a prescription to help get by in these darkish times, perhaps some unbridled optimism to offset the rancor that is so prevalent today, then Southern Avenue’s new Family might be just what the doctor ordered. When blues guitarist Ori Naftaly left his native Israel to compete in the International Blues Challenge […]
Marina Rocks – S.O.S. Texas
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Or in the case of Houstonian Marina Rocks; when in Texas, be a Texan. The Austin-born guitarist/singer/songwriter has long embraced the musical styles she heard around her, and in the process developed a unique sound that nonetheless ties her to the Lone Star State. So it was […]
Tony Kamel – We’re All Gonna Live
You’ve all heard the saying about death and taxes. Many a songwriter has written a story about someone’s journey to make the most of life given the inevitable end. Grammy-nominated Austin musician (and former front man for Wood & Wire) Tony Kamel took that a few steps further and centered his new album, We’re All […]
Ashleigh Flynn & the Riveters – Good Morning, Sunshine
Organizing an album around a theme is, of course, nothing new. It’s easy to cite examples from as far back as the 60’s, and I have no doubt the historically astute can point to even earlier projects. What’s far less common is organizing a band with a theme. That’s just what Portland, Oregon’s, Ashley Flynn […]
Pug Johnson – El Cabron
As a rule I believe you don’t have to grow up with a style of music in order to write it and play it well. I’ve heard great Americana music out of Scandinavia; some authentic country music from people who lived their whole life in Los Angeles; Bela Fleck grew up in that hotbed of […]
American Aquarium’s Road Trip to Raleigh 2025
Every year the first weekend of February B. J. Barham hosts American Aquarium’s Road Trip to Raleigh. In fact, this year was the Tenth anniversary of Road Trip. As usual it was held at Lincoln Theater in downtown Raleigh. It was the second time I attended, with last year being my first. One thing for […]
Shawn’s 25 Favs of 2024
1) Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well She raised her game to a new level. The insight and emotion in some of the songs on this record really do make me think that cardinal was John Prine. I’m not sure there’s been a better song ever about growing up than the title track. 2) Billy Strings […]
Ben Chapman – Downbeat
Road house, honky tonk, dive bar. It doesn’t matter what you call the place, across rural America they’re the name for a drinking establishment with live music, frequently located near the crossroads of a couple of (sort of) major highways. The music can be from a few different genres, but the characteristics of the set […]
Merry Mulligans
I haven’t played golf in 20 years, and when I did play, I was terrible at it. But I gotta say that when I did play I was the master of one particular stroke – the “Mulligan.” That’s when your shot off the tee is so bad you either miss it all together or you […]
Effie Zilch – Multitudes
We are all, to some extent, a product of our environment. When it comes to music that frequently manifests itself in a favored genre. But what if you’ve worked with artists from Leon Bridges to John Legend to the Rolling Stones? And you’ve scored and acted in a Sam Shepard play and written a movie […]