Ben Child

Reviews

Rick Estrin and the Nightcats: Twisted

By Ben Child

The revamped Nightcats are a tight, polished unit, and Estrin's longtime followers will find nothing to dislike on Twisted. [29 October 2009]

Linthead Stomp: The Creation of Country Music by Patrick Huber

By Ben Child

Patrick Huber's counter-narrative of Piedmont country music's complicated origins and characteristics deserves to be the dominant one. [25 October 2009]

Duke Robillard’s Jumpin’ Blues Revue: Stomp! The Blues Tonight

By Ben Child

On this pleasant jump blues survey, Robillard offers up a generous serving of both standards -- courtesy of Roy Milton, Wynonie Harris, and Lowell Fulson, among others -- and originals.

Rosanne Cash: The List

By Ben Child

Thanks to Rosanne, Johnny Cash's list is a gift that survives to give again. [8 October 2009]

Sarah Vaughan: Everything I Have is Yours

By Ben Child

On Everything I Have is Yours, Sarah Vaughan straddles the big band and smaller combo sounds with a loose assemblage of songs recorded throughout 1946 and '47. [14 September 2009]

Preservation Hall Jazz Band: New Orleans Preservation, Vol. 1

By Ben Child

New Orleans Preservation, Vol. 1 is further proof that, over the past 40 years, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band has earned its title and synonymous association with the storied music of its home city. [27 July 2009]

George Jones: A Picture of Me (Without You) / Nothing Ever Hurt Me (Half as Much as Losing You)

By Ben Child

A perfect introduction to the Billy Sherrill-Epic years and a chance to watch Jones pick up all the shine and trappings of the Rolls Royce of country singers. [22 June 2009]

Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women: Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women

By Ben Child

Something has softened some of Alvin's rowdier edges, and there might be those who miss that particular spark. But, as Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women proves, the stuff Alvin's packing now can be just as powerful. [28 May 2009]

Eilen Jewell: Sea of Tears

By Ben Child

Sea of Tears is certainly worth your time and -- in this era of "free" music -- money, but the breakthrough record is still in the offing for Eilen Jewell. [23 April 2009]

Various Artists: Keep Your Soul: A Tribute to Doug Sahm

By Ben Child

Although Sahm has received some attention recently, he remains a cloudy figure for many listeners. With its enthusiastic, loving performances, Keep Your Soul goes considerable distance to correcting this injustice. [2 April 2009]

Buddy and Julie Miller: Written in Chalk

By Ben Child

Since this is only Buddy and Julie Miller's second proper album together, the stage is set for a brilliant return. And the pair makes almost every move you'd want them to. [4 March 2009]

Various Artists: Music of Coal: Mining Songs from the Appalachian Coalfields

By Ben Child

There has been no shortage of collections of old-time music in the wake of O Brother Where Art Thou?'s remarkable success, but it would be hard to beat this two-disc set for earnestness. [17 February 2009]

Heartless Bastards: The Mountain

By Ben Child

In spite of its titular stability, if the Heartless Bastards' new album has any single motif, it's relocation. [4 February 2009]

BeauSoleil: Alligator Purse

By Ben Child

BeauSoleil has created a record that is both Cajun to its core and something else entirely. [6 January 2009]

Rosie Thomas: A Very Rosie Christmas

By Ben Child

If you’re looking for a record of ironic Christmas songs sans the irony this year, A Very Rosie Christmas should satisfy. [11 December 2008]

Alison Brown Quartet with Joe Craven: Evergreen

By Ben Child

This is unquestionably a skilled ensemble but you wish they’d break out a little more. [10 December 2008]