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Steve HorowitzAbout Steve Horowitz Steven Horowitz has a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Iowa, where he continues to teach a three-credit online course on “Rock and Roll in America”. He has written for many different popular and academic publications including American Music, Paste and the Icon. Horowitz is a firm believer in Paul Goodman’s neofunctional perspective on culture and that Sam Cooke was right, a change is gonna come. Features
You Only Live Once: An Interview With Nancy Sinatra"When I die, I already know what my obituary will be, 'Frank’s daughter died with her boots on!' Ha.” [15 October 2009] Songwriting and Social Activism: An Interview With Nellie McKay"If you keep your opinions and knowledge to yourself, it doesn’t change anything." McKay talks to PopMatters about her current projects, social activism, and philosophy of life in general. [2 June 2009] A Haunted Aura: An Interview with Marianne Faithfull"I consider myself an artist and suffering has nothing to do with it. Look, I know there are some terrible things happening in the world. That doesn‘t make the world a better place." [8 April 2009] In Praise of Older Women: The Best Records of 2008 by Women 45 Years Old and OverThe old music-industry adage is that if a woman doesn't have a hit by the time she's 22 years old, she should probably look for another career. That's obviously a load of blarney. [9 December 2008] Like a Boyd on a WirePopMatters talks to Joe Boyd, a man at the center of the folk, rock and blues scenes of the 1960s who lived to tell the tale. "The whole notion of folk music and an appreciation of things that are more rural and more traditional and more rustic than our lives are now is the privilege of the middle class." [2 August 2007] British Music During Its Most Fertile PeriodBefore The Beatles and other British Invasion artists set foot in the United States, young people already saw folk music as a safe and respectable entity. Even Jerry Lewis knew that. No wonder Bob Dylan plugged in and went electric. [10 May 2007] Best Folk of 2006English and Scottish ballads, Cajun songs, protest music, and covers of everything from Mississippi John Hurt to Prince populate this year's notable folk records. [20 December 2006] “My Tastes Don’t Evolve; They Broaden”: An Interview with Robert ChristgauAt a transitional moment in his career, one of pop music's best-known and most-respected critics talks about the changes in culture, academia, and journalism. [17 October 2006] Sugar Hill Records: 25 Years and Going StrongSugar Hill's early recordings possessed an aural purity that met people's hunger for authenticity and also seemed fresh and new. There was something honest about the sounds of the banjo, dobro, fiddle, and mandolin, and the way they mixed together. [2 October 2006] If You Don’t Like It…Shelby Lynne, the only person in rock and country music today who claims not to be influenced by the music of Johnny Cash and/or June Carter, plays Johnny Cash's mom in the new movie about the legendary couple. [1 January 1995] The Most Basic of Statements: An Interview with Richard HawleyHow many musicians does it take to put in a light bulb? Englishman Richard Hawley doesn't know, but he's willing to pull the switch and illuminate the room. Sincerely Strange and Beautiful MusicBetter known as Aqualung, Matt Hales is moving from advertisement to attraction. When Is the Sound of Iceland Not the Sound of Iceland?String quartet Amina explains what -- and who -- they aren't. How Easily Snow Covers Everything: An Interview with Gregory Galloway'One high school student piped up with, 'How do you know what happened? That's only your opinion. What you think happened may not be what really happened.' That blew me away because he was so right.' Steven Horowitz talks to Gregory Galloway, a novelist whose first book explores the mysterious life of teenagers who know too much. ReviewsGene Watson: A Taste of the TruthAt 65 years old, Watson's no longer a hit maker in these days where youth matters more than talent in mainstream county, but he’s just as good a singer as he was when he had top-10 records [24 November 2009] 
Ray Davies and the Crouch End Chorus: The Kinks Choral CollectionBecause the more thoughtful songs outnumber the straight-forward rockers, and the harder songs are camped up, the album works as a whole. [9 November 2009] 
Mark O’Connor: String Quartets No.‘s 2 & 3O’Connor takes on two American traditions, bluegrass and old-time music, and turns them into abstract string quartets. [3 November 2009] 
Chris Smither: Time Stands StillSmither’s folk blues are the aural equivalent of good American spirits like Knob Creek or Maker’s Mark, and listening to him will make you thirsty for more. [28 October 2009] Jesse Fuller: Move on Down the LineA one-man band complete with 12-string guitar, harmonica, kazoo, sock cymbals, and "fotdella". [15 October 2009] 
Alela Diane featuring Alina Hardin: Alela & AlinaBad duet albums abound. It is cause for celebration when one transcends the ordinary dictates of its genre. 
Jay and the Americans: Complete United Artists SinglesJay and the Americans evoked a simpler era of rock and roll: the '50s. This meant one thing during the early '60s, but quite another later in the decade, until the group finally disbanded in 1973 [9 October 2009] 
Arlo Guthrie: Tales of 69Guthrie sounds half-baked and that’s a good thing, because it keeps him musically loose and lets him tell his shaggy dog tales unselfconsciously. [8 October 2009] 
Patty Loveless: Mountain Soul IILoveless continues the exploration into old-time country, bluegrass and Appalachian music that she began on her 2001 Grammy Award-nominated album Mountain Soul. [29 September 2009] 
Kieran Kane: Somewhere Beyond the RosesStrange and compelling music that seems oddly familiar in its very weirdness, like a feeling you didn’t know you had for another person you'd never met before, or an appetite for an exotic cuisine one has never tasted. [21 September 2009] 
Ledisi: Turn Me LooseLedisi burns up the grooves, rather than put them through an aerobic workout. [17 September 2009] 
Stanley Clarke Trio: Jazz in the GardenThe record is quiet and full of meaningful silences. That doesn’t mean it’s not experimental. [1 September 2009] 
Buffy Sainte-Marie: Running for the DrumShe’s not content to be a Native American artist, protest singer, sensitive songwriter, jazz chanteuse, rock and roller, etc. She wants to do it all. [28 August 2009] The Lovell Sisters: Time to GrowTheir voices blend together beautifully in a high, lonesome way that recalls the great country sibling acts of old. [19 August 2009] 
Stephen Fearing: The Man Who Married MusicStephen Fearing’s descriptions of life in the northern latitudes helps contribute to the myth of Canada as a worthy destination for those south of the border. [13 August 2009] 
Trevor Hall: Trevor HallHis songs share a global innocence as his mixes reggae, rock, and rhythms from all over into a musical stew that seems childlike in its joy. [4 August 2009] 
Frank Sinatra: My Way/Live at the MeadowlandsThe one rule about popular music is that everything changes. That doesn’t mean music gets better. Even mid-level Sinatra ranks higher than most other performers’ best stuff. [24 July 2009] 
George Carver: George Carver and the Modern AgricultureThe intelligence and virtuosity sneak up on you like a hit of acid. [22 July 2009] 
Various Artists: Music from the Original Soundtrack and More: Woodstock / Woodstock 2The sound quality still suffers from the difficulties associated with making a live recording in somewhat primitive circumstances in 1969, but that’s not the biggest problem... [16 July 2009] 
Tanya Tucker: My TurnThe question of whether we really need new versions of old chestnuts like “Lovesick Blues” and “Oh, Lonesome Me” remains incompletely answered. 
Sonny Landreth: Levee TownTrying to describe Landreth’s sound with words is like trying to explain the wonders of a sunset to a blind person. All one can do is explain how it makes a person feel. [13 July 2009] 
Janis Joplin: The Woodstock ExperienceIn the voice of a talent like Joplin in concert, music is different. It’s redemption, salvation, deliverance, release, and emancipation all at once. [7 July 2009] 
Charlie Mars: Like a Bird, Like a PlaneWhile Mars keeps things artfully ambiguous, his suggestions of sex, drugs, and violence are alluring. [5 July 2009] 
Crosby, Stills & Nash: DemosThere’s a passion expressed in the unvarnished singing and playing of the musicians here that became diluted during the hitmaking process of later renditions. [12 June 2009] 
Kathryn Williams and Neill MacColl: TwoThe songs are really cool and hip, and this is acoustic folk music we are talking about. Cool and hip aren’t words usually associated with folk music. [11 June 2009] 
Nanci Griffith: The Loving KindIt’s good to have Griffith going back to her folk/country roots for inspiration. [10 June 2009] 
Ashley Cleveland: God Don’t Ever ChangeThis time she’s applying her gritty Southern vocals to black gospel music [25 May 2009] Samantha Crain & the Midnight Shivers: Songs in the NightBrazen folk rock numbers that bare Crain's heart on her sleeve while she spits in your eye. [17 May 2009] 
Tony McManus: The Maker’s Mark (The Dream Guitar Sessions)A Stunningly Beautiful, Contemplative Record [7 May 2009] 
Danny Schmidt: Instead the Forest Rose to SingThe connection between folk music, work songs, and the evil of greedy capitalists has been a 20th century trope. But this Texan lives in the 21st century. [4 May 2009] 
Richard Shindell: Not Far NowShindell is a seeker who looks for inspiration in the everyday world in which we live. What he finds are people like himself who search for meaning. [27 April 2009] 
Leela James: Let’s Do It AgainGuaranteed to work better than a log in the fireplace to create a romantic atmosphere. [23 April 2009] 
Alison Brown: The Company You KeepThink of her as the bluegrass equivalent of jazz guitarists such as Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass. 
Tom Rush: What I KnowHe’s the boy next door who went to war, and the kid the girl next door always loved, all wrapped into one. [21 April 2009] 
Wayne Hancock: Viper of MelodyThe honky tonk master still knows how to play rock ‘em, sock ‘em country with a beat, a twang, and a boogie. [20 April 2009] 
Various Artists: Undone: A Musicfest Tribute to Robert Earl KeenKeen’s no fool. He knew the only way to ensure the resulting tribute disc wouldn’t suck was to sing on it himself. [14 April 2009] 
Ramblin’ Jack Elliott: A Stranger HereWhether Elliott directly absorbed what was happening remains questionable, but he certainly soaked up the songs and culture on a deeper, more primal level. [9 April 2009] 
Petula Clark: Open Your Mind: The Love Song CollectionIt’s hard to imagine anyone who would want to listen to this disc more than once. The song selection is weak, the performances uninspired, and the production cloying. [7 April 2009] 
Al Kooper: Fifty/FiftyThis compilation swells with marvelous material, as Kooper’s large oeuvre lets him cherry pick tunes, with nary a clunker here. [27 March 2009] 
Jorma Kaukonen: River of TimeThis makes one want to go to a revival tent and shout "Hallelujah!", at least in one’s own mind. [23 March 2009] 
Freddy Cannon: Boom Boom Rock ‘n’ RollHe would reach back in his throat for a growl and pitch the tunes as if he were trying to get you to see the fat lady and stay for the freak show. [20 March 2009] 
Bruce Robison: His GreatestThis album reveals Robison’s talents as a top-notch songwriter. It also reveals that Robison is more than capable of putting a song across as a singer. [16 March 2009] 
Ana Egge: Road to My LoveEgge looks at her history as a way to move into the future. [12 March 2009] 
Gurf Morlix: Last Exit to HappylandThis may not be blues music, but Morlix confronts some of life’s bleakest moments. He sees with clear eyes and doesn’t whine about it. He just tells it like it is and uplifts the listener through the force of his music. [5 March 2009] 
Ran Blake: DriftwoodsWhere other pianists play two or three notes, Blake hits one, and then stops and lets the silence reverberate. [2 March 2009] 
David S. Ware: ShaktiYes, this is holy music. Ware and company play to get in touch with inner divinations in a way analogous to the manner in which some people pray to find the god within themselves. [18 February 2009] 
Phoebe Snow: LiveThink of it as the equivalent of one of those New Orleans funeral procession marching bands that mournfully wail on the way to the graveyard and then bust loose on the way home. [16 February 2009] 
Buddy Holly: Down the Line: RaritiesOne could easily create a wonderful 20-track compilation of the best tunes from these two discs that would turn into an apathetic listener into a Holly enthusiast. [13 February 2009] 
Graham Nash: ReflectionsNash’s musical talents have diminished over the years. However, there are flashes and sparks of genius that occur and his comet burnt so bright at the beginning that perhaps expecting someone to maintain such a run would be unrealistic. [6 February 2009] 
Taj Mahal: MaestroThere’s an earthiness to Mahal’s music. His reuse of styles and sounds no doubt comes out of his philosophy of composting and recycling. [23 January 2009] 
Liza Minnelli: The Complete A&M RecordingsWhile every generation has its own archetype of the crazy but sexy girl, the late '60s version was best embodied by Liza Minnelli. [16 January 2009] 
Danny Kalb: I’m Goona Live the Life I Sing AboutPerforming the dance between the words and the strings that give the acoustic music power to knock the listener out without the need for volume. [13 January 2009] 
Jack London’s Racial Lives by Jeanne Campbell ReesmanLondon was a product of his age where attitudes towards race were the subject of much intellectual debate. [7 January 2009] 
Lee Konitz: Deep LeeKonitz may take credit for help inventing cool jazz, but this disc shows that he keeps on evolving. 
Rory Block: Blues Walkin’ Like A ManBlock’s guitar playing comes off as controlled frenzy, like a rattlesnake uncoiling and ready to strike. [18 December 2008] 
The Doors: Live at the Matrix 1967Live at the Matrix 1967 works as an archival document of the Doors before the band exploded and fame overtook them. [11 December 2008] 
DeLeon/DeLeonAncient Sephardic folk music from the Iberian Peninsula (before the Inquisition) combined with urban noise. [9 December 2008] 
Tom Jones: 24 HoursWhat’s most amazing about 68-year-old Tom Jones’ recent album, his first new American release in 15 years, is how similar it sounds to his classic records of the past. [25 November 2008] 
Thea Gilmore: Liejacker"This isn’t really me", she says, wink, wink, nudge, nudge. And then she offers intimate, personal details of her thoughts and feelings about herself and the state of the world. 
Butch Walker: Sycamore MeadowsWhat makes Walker so damn good: his willingness to throw everything in the pot to make heartfelt music full of bluster and brains. [13 November 2008] 
Robin Williamson: Journey’s EdgeA sought after collector’s item for decades has been re-released with 10 previously unavailable bonus cuts. [12 November 2008] 
French, Frith, Kaiser, Thompson: Invisible MeansTo call this album chock full of self-indulgent wanking is just another way of saying, "Hey! It’s prog rock!" [7 November 2008] 
Travis: Ode to J. SmithIn Brit terms, this is more Libertines than Coldplay. In other words, this is a real rock record. It’s morbid rather than morose, bluesy not blue. [4 November 2008] 
Tomer Yosef: Laughing UndergroundOne doesn't have to speak Hebrew to appreciate and understand Yosef's music. [22 October 2008] 
Smart Blonde: Dolly Parton, by Stephen MillerThe frisson between the dual natures of Parton’s appeal, that of a serious musician versus that of a dumb blonde, have made her an enigma. [21 October 2008] 
Bonnie Bramlett: BeautifulThe formal feelings expressed after great pain reveal a dignity equal to the reserve of Emily Dickinson on the printed page. 
New Duncan Imperials: End of Phase OneWeird rock and roll ways with loud, crunchy guitar riffs, straight ahead drumming, and half-drunken vocals. [10 October 2008] 
Kath Bloom: TerrorAn air of mystery and sadness, as if she is hiding something significant and dramatic from her audiences. [9 October 2008] 
Rosalie Sorrels: Strangers in Another CountryAs an old friend, Sorrels offers some of Phillips’ best known material as well as songs he had never published or recorded. [3 October 2008] 
Carrie Rodriguez: She Ain’t MeRodriguez is clearly searching for her own identity as she tries on different roles. [30 September 2008] 
Brazzaville: 21st Century GirlBrazzaville is a Barcelona based band that takes its name from one of the most squalid cities on earth. 
South Jersey Seashore Lifeguard Convention Band: Dark Side of the PoolThe Lifeguards’ clever, sardonic lyrics about the seashore revelry and the mornings after are unexpected. [29 September 2008] 
Howard Tate: Blue DayHis voice is so soulful that the record should come with a side of collard greens. [8 September 2008] 
Doc Watson: American Master SeriesIn a perfect world, Watson would be given the royal treatment of a multi-disc box set, complete with rare and unreleased tracks, obscure live cuts, and other treats. [4 September 2008] 
Anat Ben-David: Virtual LeisureBen-David gleefully takes on middle class food consumption, lesbian bikers, city life, having fun, modern art, and other disparate subjects with her tongue in cheek. [2 September 2008] 
Rodney Crowell: Sex & GasolineCrowell’s willingness to lay it on line and not care if he comes across as a hypocrite or an jerk makes him an artist. His Dylan-like pretentiousness yields Dylan-like rage, prophecy, and poetry. 
Frankie Valli: Solo/TimelessValli is actually older than Elvis Presley, but his look and his voice possess a classic quality that seems to exist outside of any particular era. [15 August 2008] 
Steve Cropper & Felix Cavaliere: Nudge It Up a NotchThis is 2008, not 1968. And while there are some contemporary flourishes, most of these brand spanking new tunes would not have sounded out of place on the radio back in the day. [30 July 2008] 
Goose Creek Symphony: The Same Thing AgainThis is the kind of disc one can play again and again, and it doesn’t matter where one starts or leaves off. 
Teddy Thompson: A Piece of What You NeedThe son of folk-rock notables Richard and Linda Thompson urbanely sings and writes about suicide, dissipation, alcoholism, drugs, and even love and happiness with verve and wit. [25 July 2008] 
Kenny Wheeler: Other PeopleOne doesn’t have to be spiritual to appreciate Wheeler’s talents. [17 July 2008] 
Carla Olson and the Textones: Detroit ‘85 - Live & UnreleasedThese albums reveal Olson’s hard-working efforts to turn a live show into a working class carnival of sound. [14 July 2008] 
Joe Cocker: Hymn 4 My SoulCocker is not the “Sheffield Shouter” or the smooth singer of yesteryear. He’s somewhere in the middle. [11 July 2008] Lucinda WilliamsJudging by this concert, Williams seems to have emerged unscathed from the demons that used to torment her. She sang with an easygoing grace. The edginess that once made her concerts dangerous was no longer present. It was clear Williams was having a good time and enjoyed performing to an appreciative audience. [8 July 2008] 
Various Artists: The Jewish Songbook: The Heart and Humor of A PeopleWho woulda thunk that Adam Sandler could pull of a heartfelt version of the traditional prayer, “Hine Ma Tov”? [17 June 2008] 
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes: From Southside to TynesideClose your eyes and listen to this live double-disc set and you’ll swear it’s still 1970-something. [13 June 2008] 
Tony Joe White: Deep CutsFamiliar tracks that have been recorded previously to a better effect. [11 June 2008] 
You, Me & Iowa: The Adventures of You, Me & IowaYou, Me & Iowa hail from Los Angeles and sound just like your typical sunny California pop band -- in a good way. [9 June 2008] 
Sam Phillips: Don’t Do AnythingPhillips relishes the inscrutability the material provides. This is song noir, whose low-key, chiaroscuro-style shadings of musical effects heighten the psychological reality. [4 June 2008] 
Natalia Zukerman: Brand New FrameNatalia Zukerman's musical talents and songwriting gifts form a powerful combination. 
Jewmongous: Taller Than JesusOne doesn’t expect Jewish entertainers to make fun of WASPs anymore. We can’t help but stick it to the goyim now that we’re not afraid of them. [30 May 2008] 
Angel Band: With Roots and WingsWhile there is something granola about the politically correct, left-liberal lyrics, the singers and players do a good job of universalizing the aesthetic experience by concentrating on the performance more than preaching a message. [27 May 2008] Geoff MuldaurMuldaur had the audience in the palms of his hands, or more precisely, in his fingertips, as he deftly played an assortment of classic American blues compositions by such masters as Lonnie Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, and Sleepy John Estes. [15 May 2008] 
Carly Simon: This Kind of LoveLike a carnival mask, this public image really isn’t meant to fool you as much as to set the mood. The overriding vibe can be simply described as the sweetness of love. [8 May 2008] 
Hayes Carll: Trouble in MindCarll’s voice sounds like he’s halfway laughing and halfway crying, but he’s always a sucker for a good joke. He knows there’s more depth in humor than pathos -- and it’s a lot more fun. [10 April 2008] 
Kathy Mattea: CoalMattea may claim to have coal mining in her blood and bleed whenever a mountaintop is sheared for ore, but that doesn’t really matter. What matters is the music, and the music is terrific. [3 April 2008] 
Auktyon: Girls SingFor Auktyon, even the more holistic tunes tend to verge towards chaos and anarchy. The margins always threaten to break apart. [31 March 2008] 
Simon & Garfunkel: Live 1969Though certain themes and feelings still ring true, the poor quality of these recordings make the compilation come off as more of a patchwork affair. [26 March 2008] 
Robin Danar: Altered StatesDanar’s latest project makes him a midwife of sorts, as he gathered a varied group of musicians and had them do new versions of notable songs that one would normally consider outside their realm. [19 March 2008] 
Caroline Herring: LantanaWhile these examples may suggest Herring is obsessed by death, that’s not true. She just writes about the existential facts of life. [13 March 2008] 
Carlene Carter: StrongerCarter’s always been tough and edgy, but now she seems self-confident. “I’m so cool,” she sings with a growl some 25-plus years after she first wrote the tune, and you believe her. [7 March 2008] 
Malcolm Holcombe: Gamblin’ HouseThe self-professed smoker sounds like he swallows unfiltered Camels whole and washes them down with cheap moonshine from a brown bottle. [6 March 2008] 
Wednesday Week: What We HadThe entrance into adulthood sounds sweet, painful, and promising all at the same time on this disc [4 March 2008] 
Ben Vaughn Combo: Beautiful ThingThere’s a timeless, glorious quality to the Jersey/Philly sound from the '60s that captures white boy soul, pop hooks, catchy lyrics, and garage rock. [29 February 2008] 
Jim Lauderdale & The Dream Players: Honey SongsLauderdale lets the words pop like a school kid snapping bubble gum one minute, and then gets down and growls at the end of a line to show he’s serious the next. [27 February 2008] 
Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Works Volume 1 and 2This was a statement album, or double-album as the case may be. If ambition was a sin, these guys were on the highway to hell. [26 February 2008] 
Walter Hyatt: Some Unfinished BusinessWhat these songs share in common is Hyatt’s smooth vocals. He never sings staccato. The lyrics flow like honey from his mouth. [15 February 2008] 
David Ford: Songs for the RoadFord is the kind of bloke who makes fun of misery and discovers humor and catharsis in the blackness. [14 February 2008] 
The Heavy Circles: The Heavy CirclesEdie Brickell and Harper Simon's music has an avant-garde pop sound with an electronic edge born out of studio production techniques that squiggle and swirl behind the vocals. [12 February 2008] 
Ana Egge: Lazy DaysShe drawls out the lyrics like a yawn, but the kind that settles in your soul like a sigh. Egge knows that lethargy itself is a symptom of sensual passion. [6 February 2008] 
Michael Showalter: Sanwiches & CatsIt’s not so much what Showalter says, as much as how he says it. [29 January 2008] 
Ray Bonneville: Goin By FeelThe disc has a sprawling intimacy whose many moods go all over the places of the human heart. [25 January 2008] 
Jonathan Segel: HoneySegel lets his axe venture into places most other guitarists avoid. [22 January 2008] 
The Sojourners: Hold OnThe Sojourner’s sing old school gospel music with soaring vocal harmonies and a churning sense of rhythm. [16 January 2008] 
The Gilded Bats: The Gilded BatsReturn with us to those glorious sounds of yesterday, when dark and dirty meant -- well, dark and dirty. [10 January 2008] 
Various Artists: Love Goes OnIt is perhaps fitting for a disc that honors a dead man that the central motif is something like: life is hard, the world is ugly, loneliness may be your only friend. [4 January 2008] 
Lisa O’Kane: It Dont HurtThis girl from a small town promises to have a bright future in country music. 
George Strait: 22 More HitsEvery track here showcases Strait’s smooth style and the ability to make the life of a Texas cowboy into something sexy. [11 December 2007] 
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss: Raising SandWhile the hard rocking British daddy and innocent sounding waif may seem an unlikely pair, they fit together well to create a distinctively satisfying album of rootsy American music. [4 December 2007] 
5th Dimension: Up, Up and Away/The Magic GardenFortunately, the group and its manager discovered two of America’s best songwriters at the beginning of their careers: Jimmy Webb and Laura Nyro, as well as the now legendary producer Bones Howe. [16 November 2007] 
Various Artists: Song of AmericaEd Petersen gathered an impressive cast of contemporary artists to re-record the music of American life from the past 500+ years. The result is a glorious hodge-podge of styles and voices that celebrates the diversity of our national life, warts and all. [2 November 2007] 
Various Artists: Sound of the CityThere was a time in the not so distant past when teenagers formed a large, identifiable group with shared likes and interests. These youth saw themselves as having something in common just because of their age. [22 October 2007] 
Pieta Brown: Remember the SunPieta Brown’s latest CD was released in Europe three months before it was scheduled for a domestic release. Iowa City’s Brown, like many Hawkeye musicians, are better appreciated abroad than they are valued at home. [18 October 2007] 
Kane Welch Kaplin: Kane Welch KaplinThis trio plays Americana the way it should be played -- with heart, soul, and gumption. [12 October 2007] 
Mary Gauthier: Between Daylight and the DarkThe grit in Gauthier's throat and ache in her voice resonate with the experience of one who has been there and done that, and knows better now. [8 October 2007] 
Marked by Devah PagerPager shows that employers regularly exclude ex-offenders from consideration for entry-level, low-paying jobs, and provides strong evidence that the situation for young black men is significantly worse than for their white counterparts. [27 September 2007] 
Various Artists: Give Us Your PoorThis fund-raising CD brings together established musicians, socially committed actors, and currently, or previously, homeless musicians in a moving collection of songs and stories. [25 September 2007] Bumbershoot feat. Joss Stone, John Legend, Wu-Tang Clan, the Shins, Fergie, and Panic! At the DiscoPopMatters' Steve Horowitz braves the Seattle sun (!?), bringing you the highlights of Bumbershoot 2007. [24 September 2007] 
Various Artists: Sowing the SeedsThese days folk is a niche market, but these musicians still know how to captivate, educate, and entertain the listener. [19 September 2007] 
Various Artists: Four Decades of Folk RockUnsurprisingly, Time Life has turned the musical history of folk rock into a greatest hits package that doesn’t reveal much about folk or rock or the times from which the music emerged. [14 September 2007] 
Derailers: Under the Influence of BuckThe Derailers’ music has always shown the influence of Buck Owens, but this is the first time they have taken the man’s catalogue head on. [7 September 2007] 
Suzy Bogguss: Sweet DangerWhile old fans may be disappointed, this should find Bogguss a new audience that enjoys sophisticated tunes that would seem at home in classy nightclub. [4 September 2007] 
Greg Brown: Yellow DogA recording of a benefit show from back in 2005 for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan’s Yellow Dog Watershed. [27 August 2007] 
Adam Levy: Washing DayFeatured guitarist in Norah Jones’ Handsome Band creates a pleasant Sunday afternoon mood on his solo effort. [24 August 2007] 
The Mugwumps: The MugwumpsMembers of the Mamas and the Papas and the Lovin' Spoonful play some pleasant pop folk music. [23 August 2007] 
Gretchen Peters: Burnt Toast & OfferingsWhen Peters sings that she’s tired of “the sun and the top 40 radio”, one can’t help but think Peters is singing about her glory days and mainstream radio success. [14 August 2007] 
Jennifer Warnes: Famous Blue Raincoat: The Songs of Leonard Cohen, 20th Anniversary EditionLeonard Cohen's talent lies in his ability to write songs that are rich in nuance without being obscure. [10 August 2007] 
Dale Watson: Little Darlin SessionsWatson sings these (mostly) liquid tales of honky tonk squalor and heartbreak with a deep bass voice of authority, like a Johnny Cash who found solace in alcohol instead of religion. 
Eliza Gilkyson: Your Town TonightLike Johnny Cash or Pete Seeger, the very timbre of Gilkyson's voice convinces the listener that she understands the deep lessons of life. [8 August 2007] 
Stephen Stills: Just Roll Tape—April 26, 1968Stills' great gifts as a songwriter, guitar player and singer have never been better revealed. [2 August 2007] 
Robert Gordon and Chris Spedding featuring the Jordanaires: The King and IThe world needs another Elvis record, even if it's not by the King himself, to remind us of the magic that the human voice and a guitar can create. [30 July 2007] 
Serena Ryder: If Your Memory Serves You WellEven when crooning serious lyrics one can hear the hint of a smile. Ryder comes across as a kid playing dress up. Look at me wearing mom's dresses and dad's shoes! She fills them well. [11 July 2007] 
Chris Fortier: As long as the Moment ExistsDJ Chris Fortier offers international underground dance music, as befits an artist who regularly performs at hotspots everywhere from Europe to Tokyo to Buenos Aires. [10 July 2007] 
Kim Richey: Chinese BoxesThese songs would rule the charts in a land where Marshall Crenshaw was king, Aimee Mann queen, and The Beatles never put out another record after Revolver. 
Maria Muldaur: Naughty, Bawdy and BlueThe progression from Scott Joplin's syncopated ragtime to Insane Clown Posse's sexual deviance was a straight line that marked a lessening of moral standards. It's a nice story, but it's simply not true. [6 July 2007] 
Carey and Lurrie Bell: Gettin UpThere are few, if any, musicians around today that play Chicago blues better than father and son team of Carey Bell Harrington and Lurrie Bell. [2 July 2007] 
Tom Jones: This is Tom Jones [DVD]Imagine, Elvis Presley-influenced Tom Jones singing, alone and together with Janis Joplin, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Stevie Wonder, and Aretha Franklin when they all were young. [25 June 2007] 
Pam Tillis: RhinestonedTillis was dropped from her major label contract, despite having a string of hit records in the '90s (including six number one singles), and hasn’t put out a new disc in five years. Well, she’s back. [23 May 2007] 
Balkan Beat Box: Nu MedNu Med flows like one big international party soundtrack. Come whoop it up. [15 May 2007] 
Jorma Kaukonen: Stars in My CrownOld timers who remember Hot Tuna’s classic Quah will be overjoyed by the fact that Kaukonen’s still got it. [3 May 2007] 
Various Artists: JewfaceIn the hands of William Shakespeare this type of situation might be considered anti-Semitic, but Irving Berlin's fellow Yids laugh at their own expense. [27 April 2007] 
The Town Criers: Live in San FranciscoThis record would only be of interest for those with a particular affection for early '60s popular folk or Balin fanatics. [18 April 2007] 
Peggy Seeger: Three Score and TenFamily and friends, some quite famous themselves, honor folksinger Peggy Seeger on her 70th birthday. [13 April 2007] 
Kate Havnevik: MelanktonNorway's Havnevik has a distinctive, breathy vocal style that makes each track instantly recognizable as a Kate song. [4 April 2007] 
Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Ray Price: Last of the Breed Volume 1Yes, that’s right. Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Ray Price offer the somnolent styles of yesterday and today for your enjoyment. [28 March 2007] 
David Bromberg: Try Me One More TimeIt's been 17 years since he has put out a new disc. The good news is, Bromberg sounds the same as ever. [16 March 2007] 
Chuck E. Weiss: 23rd & StoutThis may not be musical in the conventional sense, as Weiss talks the vocals more than sings them, but it sure is artful. [14 March 2007] 
The Roches: MoonsweptThe three Roche sisters possess lovely voices and the ability to create stunning vocal harmonies that just take one's breath away. [7 March 2007] 
Kendra Shank: A Spirit FreeKendra Shank doesn’t sing Abbey Lincoln’s songs as much as Shank inhabits them. [26 February 2007] 
Bobby Conn: King For a DayWe all can be kings for a day, but remember tomorrow to be back at work. In the meantime it's important to party. [21 February 2007] 
Richard Swift: Dressed Up for the LetdownWhat artist in any field wouldn’t want to be the new Beatles and transform the world? Swift consistently expresses grand ambitions and great feelings, which should be applauded. 
The Three Stooges - Hapless Half-Wits (2007)These Jewish boys from Brooklyn stick it to the anti-Semites before anyone else in Hollywood had the balls to do so. 
John Sebastian: John B. Sebastian / Tarzana Kid / Welcome BackCollectors Choice has cleaned up the masters and re-presented Sebastian's solo CDs to the boomer audience that didn't purchase them the first time around. 
daButch Hancock: War and PeaceHancock's latest album is a diatribe against Bush and the war. Unlike the Texas troubadour's previous efforts, this disc offers no tales of Southwestern romance, desert waltzes, or small town vignettes. 
Allen Clapp: Something Strange HappensThe DIY musician employs everything from weirdly distorted squeals made by his broken-down recording equipment to scratchy samples of the drum tracks on old records to produce his distinctive sound. [17 January 2007] 
Bobby Bare: A Bird Named Yesterday/Talk Me Some SenseBare possesses a rich, baritone voice that conveys an aura of authenticity. Both he and Johnny Cash embody the same kind of mythic national persona, as if they were true, timeless American native sons. [10 January 2007] 
Forro in the Dark: Bonfires of São JoãoThis album is meant for club dancing, not folk dancing. It's for those who find enjoyment on the margins. [5 December 2006] 
David Grisman and Andy Statman: New Shabbos WaltzThis is Chasidic music that's meant to evoke the mystical spiritualism of the human connections to God. [1 December 2006] 
All India Radio: Each OtherThe music possesses a brittle, crystal clarity that evokes being alone on deserts of sand or a distant planet with an oxygen free atmosphere. 
Custom Made: Sidewalk MindtalkThis recording is meant to whet the appetites and spread the word to those who may of have not previously heard Custom Made perform. Based on the evidence found here, there should be no hurry to release the next one. [27 November 2006] 
Isobel Campbell: Milkwhite SheetsThink earth, sky, wind, water, but don't forget the human component. The music may be dreamy, but it's always passionate. [22 November 2006] 
David Mallett: Midnight On The WaterLike maple syrup, a little bit of Mallett can go a long way, but this disc provides some welcome sweetness. [13 November 2006] 
Various Artists: The Source Presents Fat Tape Compilation Volume OneThese thug tales provide an escape from the safety of the suburbs. Danger lurks everywhere on the songs here. [12 November 2006] 
Dr. Dog: Takers and LeaversFive guys and six songs equals 23½ minutes of rambling, lo-fidelity pop. The EP is fun in a goofy way. [9 November 2006] 
Various Artists: Why the Hell Not…: The Songs of Kinky FriedmanKinky Friedman has written an impressive body of tunes over the years, doing the Lone Star state proud. [3 November 2006] 
Edie Carey: Another Kind of FireCarey really doesn’t have much to say. She’s earnest enough, and she’s not dumb. But she really doesn’t offer any great insights into the world in which we live. 
Stephanie McKay: Stephanie McKay [EP]McKay preaches about life in the hood and rising above it. She tells her audience that each of them can better themselves in a passionate, dramatic voice. [2 November 2006] 
Willie Nelson: SongbirdMy guess is that anyone familiar with Nelson's music can think of at least one song that makes that person cringe. There's none of those here. [31 October 2006] 
Sandy Denny: Sandy Denny Under Review [DVD]Denny was, as journalist Nigel Williamson calls her on this DVD, "a combination of Janis Joplin and Joan Baez". This documentary aims to seriously reevaluate Denny’s position as a singer and songwriter and revive her reputation among contemporary audiences who may not have heard of her. 
Ronnie Milsap: The Essential Ronnie MilsapThirty-three of the 40 songs on The Essential Ronnie Milsap reached #1 on Billboard magazine’s Hot Country Singles chart, and the other seven made or closely approached the Top Ten. [27 October 2006] 
Various Artists: Outlaw Country: Austin City Limits - Live from Austin, TXThere's something downright pleasant and wholesome about the whole thing. The amiable atmosphere may make the CD enjoyable to listen to, but this also has a downside. [26 October 2006] 
Guy Clark: Workbench SongsGuy Clark is a man of deep feelings with strong powers of observation. He knows how to put across a line with a straight face and then follow it with a crooked twist to show deeper shades of meaning. [17 October 2006] 
Kasey Chambers: CarnivalChambers constructs her songs like little one-act plays that star her heart on her sleeve. [4 October 2006] 
Pere Ubu: Why I Hate WomenThomas still frequently sings with that halfway hiccup in his voice, as if he can't get the words out without being slightly nauseous. The overall sound tells one right up front that life is ugly and hard. But there is also a subtle beauty in the noise. [22 September 2006] 
Jim Lauderdale: Country Super Hits Volume OneIf one heard this album on a crowded dance floor or a noisy barroom where the words were indistinct, one would be mightily impressed with Lauderdale’s overall grace and style. [20 September 2006] 
Chris Smither: Leave the Light OnSmither's songs, his singing, and his playing make this a wonderful acoustic folk and blues album. [19 September 2006] 
Steve Goodman: Live at the Earl of Old TownEvery song offers a reason to smile and sing along. He makes you want to brag to your friends about what a good deal you got, flirt boldly with a pretty person, and generally just goof around happily -- not an easy thing for a musician to do. [7 September 2006] 
Greg Brown: The Evening CallYeah, Brown's vocals are so goddamn weird that they get the brunt of a listener's attention. The voice seems to come from somewhere deep in his stomach and get strangled by his liver, lungs, and kidneys on the way to his mouth. That's a good thing. [24 August 2006] 
The Meat Purveyors: Someday Soon Things Will Be Much Worse!Checking out what songs a band decides to record and what approach gets taken can prove illuminating. This seems especially true of those on the new album by that punk bluegrass group from Texas, the Meat Purveyors. [11 August 2006] 
Butch Walker: The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and the Lets-Go-Out TonitesThis album is the real deal, the shit, a modern masterpiece, and I don't use those terms lightly. It rocks from beginning to end with an arched eyebrow and a steamy sexuality. [4 August 2006] 
Raul Malo: Youre Only LonelyYou're Only Lonely has the makings of a great record, but the truth is, something is missing. While this is not a bad record, and a few cuts are very good, the results are more dream inducing than dreamy. [28 July 2006] 
Robert Earl Keen: Live at the RymanLive at the Ryman captures Keen on a good night performing before an enthusiastic crowd. However, Keen's songs aren't necessarily improved when played before a live audience. [25 July 2006] 
Various Artists: Easy to be FreeAlthough this 20-track tribute album doesn't contain any big stars, the selections include material from every phase of Nelson's career and reveal the depth of his talents. [24 July 2006] 
Ramblin Jack Elliott: I Stand AloneThe album's 16 tracks clock in at a mere 32-and-a-half minutes, but there's a fullness to the disc because Elliott gives it all on every song, no matter the length. There really isn't a bad cut on the record. [13 July 2006] 
Wa-Zimba: Mande WazyThe band members incorporate a host of world influences from free jazz and hip hop to techno and pop to Rai and raga into their repertoire. And on one song, "Sodine Key", I swear I could even hear echoes of Jerry Garcia jammin' country-style circa American Beauty. [7 July 2006] 
Big Bill Broonzy: Amsterdam Live Concerts 1953This two-disc set succeeds both as art and artifact. Broonzy not only sings and plays well, his between song patter also functions to reveal the poisonous effect of racism in the United States at this time in history. [5 July 2006] 
Various Artists: The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris KristoffersonThe real question is whether the latest effort to honor the legendary songwriter is any good. The simple answer is yes. [27 June 2006] 
Rhonda Vincent: All American Bluegrass GirlRhondomon: Inscrutable perspectives on a self-proclaimed All-American Bluegrass Girl... or, is there anyone who's really good? Maybe goodness is just make-believe. [21 June 2006] 
Vetiver: To Find Me GoneThe first nine cuts on the latest Vetiver album are great folk pop to die for. Then things get a little off-kilter [19 June 2006] 
Sir Douglas Quintet: Live from Austin, TexasDoug Sahm died in 1999, but the 17 songs here reveal his charisma and considerable talents as a singer and guitar player. [8 June 2006] 
Big Al Anderson: After HoursSince leaving NRBQ, Big Al put out one solo record that featured his rockin’ side. His latest disc, After Hours, offers a different spin on his talents, showcasing his mellow side. [19 May 2006] 
Mason Jennings: BonecloudsRam Dass may still be alive and lecturing, but thanks to a catchy new song by Mason Jennings, contemporary audiences will begin equating the phrase "Be Here Now" with the Minnesota musical seeker of wisdom. [18 May 2006] 
Mick Moloney: McNally’s Row of Flats (Irish American Songs of Old New York, by Harrigan and BrAs a musician, Moloney opted for catchy tunes with humorous lyrics. While presumably Harrigan and Braham had melancholic and/or cloying tunes about the old country or troubles in the New World, none of them can be found here. [17 May 2006] 
Bananarama: DramaThe coolest Bananarama songs were never really deep. The group had an attitude and a look, a cool, sultry sound, and a sense of fun. Bananarama still displays these characteristics to full effect. [15 May 2006] 
Asha Bhosle: Love SupremeEverybody needs a bosom to lean on. At 73 years of age, Asha sounds as supple and sylphlike as ever. [12 May 2006] 
Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass: Whipped Cream and Other Delights RewhippedHerb Alpert and his band possessed a horny genius for performing Latin jazz inflected pop. Here, it's been rewhipped for a younger crowd. [5 May 2006] 
Marshall Chapman: Mellowicious!A self-proclaimed tall girl who looks to the heavens and sees stars, Chapman writes songs that sound as natural as a conversation with a friend. [4 May 2006] 
Roy Orbison: The Essential Roy OrbisonThe story of the Big O from the beginning of his career to posthumous releases can be found on this new compilation. Orbison knew the mystery of dreams could be better suggested by a trill than by words alone. [27 April 2006] 
Half/Life: Jew-ish Tales from Interfaith Homes by Laurel Snyder (editor)For many of the essays, the most heartbreaking moments occur after the child has declared his or herself a Jew, only to be rejected by members of the tribe. [25 April 2006] 
Candi Staton: His HandsEven if Staton had lived the life of Little Mary Sunshine, the ache in her vocals would make one believe that she has suffered. Just one "ooh", "aah", or "mmm" would turn anyone into a believer. [24 April 2006] 
Gary Bennett: Human ConditionFormer BR5-49er says he wants the simple life, but don’t believe him. Like everyone else, he just wants what he hasn’t got. [19 April 2006] 
Jive 5: Collectors Gold SeriesThis is no jive: the true story of doo wop by a great vocal group that arrived late on the scene. [7 April 2006] 
Various Artists: Heartworn HighwaysHave a toast in honor of terrific, previously unreleased music from a documentary film about some of Texas' best hard drinkin' singer-songwriters like Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell and many others. [15 March 2006] The Lucky Tomblin Band: In a Honky-Tonk MoodWanna get Lucky? Old fashioned Texas style music meant for dancing and drinking from a band leader with a history. [8 March 2006] 
Tony Joe White: Live from Austin City Limits [DVD + CD]Austin, 1980 -- that was another place and another time, but here's evidence of Tony Joe White rocking down the television studio audience. [7 March 2006] Sissel: Into ParadiseSissel promises to take us into paradise, but many of us would rather live in a messier world. Perfect beauty tends to be boring. [27 February 2006] The Duhks: Your Daughters and Your SonsThe progressive folk music band once put out an album only heard in Canada. Now that they have gathered a bigger audience, the disc has been re-released for the rest of us. [21 February 2006] Oysterband: The Big Session Volume 1Oysterband hire a hall, invite some musicians to jam, rehearse a little, and put on a show with songs about booze, love, and murder. [20 February 2006] Various Artists: Complete Verve Remixed Deluxe BoxIt's a no brainer. Even a five-year-old with a Casio could remix Billie Holiday and make it appealing. [17 February 2006] 
Various: I am the ResurrectionThe transfiguration of John Fahey from a folk guitarist into the pantheon of great American composers, delivered through interpretations of his work by a group of oddball independent artists like himself. [10 February 2006] Shawn Amos: Thank You Shirl-ee May (A Love Story)A song cycle set in New York City in the '60s, when Negroes were in vogue and everything was cool, baby; through the saga of a real life hot mama the son never knew. [8 February 2006] 
The Go-Betweens: That Striped Sunlight SoundThe Go-Betweens go home to Brisbane to make a live DVD/CD record of the band and continue its phoenix like reemergence into a band that matters. [3 February 2006] 
Various: Doo-Wop ForeverIndependent label music by alternative artists from the past shows that rock and roll will never die as long as record companies can make a profit repackaging it. [24 January 2006] 
Davy Graham: Large As Life and Twice As NaturalA masterwork of psychedelic English folk music from the '60s has been handsomely reissued. [18 November 2005] 
Joy Lynn White: One More TimeWhat a joy! A strong female voice brings back California style country rock as if the '70s were here again. [14 November 2005] 
Maria Muldaur: Sweet Lovin’ Ol’ SoulMaria Muldaur has put her camels to bed and taken your hand off her leg. She's always had the blues, and she's singing 'em better than ever. [11 November 2005] 
Bebo Valdés: Bebo de CubaMethuselah lived 900 years, but who calls that living compared to octogenarian Cuban-born jazzbo Bebo Valdés who's still kickin' it after all these years. [28 October 2005] 
Various Artists: This Bird Has Flown: A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles’ Rubber SoulI know I'll never lose affection for people and things that went before. In my life, I'll love The Beatles' versions more, but these covers have their own merits. [24 October 2005] 
Richard Thompson: Front Parlour BalladsNo popcorn or peanuts, just a crackerjack album of mostly solo acoustic tunes about people behaving badly. [14 October 2005] 
Various Artists: Searching for Soul: Rare & Classic Soul, Funk & Jazz from Michigan 1968-1980The underground sounds of Detroit's funk scene have been unearthed. The soul mining is worth the effort, yielding 14 real musical gems that most people have never had the opportunity to hear before. [12 October 2005] 
John Doyle: Wayward SonNothing flashy here, just a man singing and playing guitar Celtic folk style, with able assistance from other stellar vocalists and instrumentalists like Linda Thompson, Kate Rusby, and Danny Thompson. 
Various Artists: Visions of an Inner Mounting Apocalypse: A Fusion Guitar TributeGuitar monsters pay tribute to a great jazz-rock fusion band with less than stellar results. There's no bliss here, just sledgehammer noise. [10 October 2005] 
Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk About Being Jewish by Abigail PogrebinWieseltier condemns the a la carte Judaism of those who choose what aspect of the religion they like and leave the rest behind and considers those people incompetent because they don't bother to learn what they don't know. [5 October 2005] 
The Morells: Think About ItOld fashioned fun from the pride of Springfield, Missouri. The Morells pronounce every word clearly and keep true to the beat. 
Blood of Abraham: EyedollartreeLike the Boss, I believe in the Promised Land. California rappers Blood of Abraham take listeners half of the way there. [30 September 2005] 
Al Kooper: Black CoffeeThis disc harkens back to the days when black coffee was a warm cup of joe at the diner served by a waitress named Betty, not a steaming Starbucks brew made by a barista. [27 September 2005] 
The Frank & Joe Show: 66 2/3If you are looking for something sweet to lift your spirits, The Frank and Joe Show will show you a good time. [14 September 2005] 
James McMurtry: Childish ThingsThe Texas troubadour adds a bit of panache and grace to the stories of the working class poor. America: the land of the free, where even working two jobs means one can only afford to sleep in the car. [8 September 2005] 
Dr. Israel: Inna City Pressure [remastered]The doctor of dub reggae has remastered his classic 1998 release. Fans of the genre should be pleased. Others may not be so enthused. [7 September 2005] 
Amy Rigby: Little FugitiveThe trouble with Rigby is that she's alright. That's good for her, but she's much more interesting when she's unhappy or just plain angry. [6 September 2005] Nanci Griffith + Clive Gregson and Le Ann EtheridgeThe Texas songbird has a voice like no other and, while her scatting may leave something to be desired, her melodious tones remain as deeply personal as ever... [1 September 2005] 
Terry Allen: The Silent Majority (Terry Allen’s Greatest Missed Hits)Yesterday's leftovers make tasty main dishes. This reissue of Lubbock, Texas native Terry Allen's early oddities and one-offs serves as a good combination plate from an artist who knows that being weird is just one way of being in the world. [30 August 2005] 
The Mamas and the Papas: California Dreamin’: The Songs of the Mamas and Papas [DVD]The band's comet-like rise and fall is a great story, but you won't learn about it here. [23 August 2005] 
Patti LaBelle: Classic MomentsDon't let the title full you -- this disc doesn't compile great tracks from LaBelle's past repertoire but features all new recordings of old tunes made popular by others. 
Vivian Green: VivianVivian Green declares her independence from the men in her life. She's dressed for the occasion in her leopard skin print bikini. It's time to make some money. [11 August 2005] 
Keely Smith: Vegas ‘58—TodayLive from New York: It's Las Vegas swing music from the '50s. Gleeby music, that is, with Keely Smith singing her parts and that of her famous old partner, Louis Prima. [9 August 2005] 
Missy Elliott: The CookbookElliott cooks up some tasty hits on her latest release. Now if she could only be more careful with her use of language. [15 July 2005] 
Wanted: Dead or Alive: Season OneOccasionally patronizing, Randall isn't afraid to hit a girl or pull a gun on one if it's necessary. [13 July 2005] 
John Hiatt: Master of DisasterJohn Hiatt goes to Memphis with mixed results. Producer Jim Dickinson knows how to build a groove, but sometimes it grows into a deep rut. 
Bobby Valentino: self-titledDon't mistake this Valentino for the old-time heartthrob named Rudy. The less than talented Bobby doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence. [11 July 2005] 
Jordan Chassan: East of Bristol, West of KnoxvilleChassan's living in his own private Tennessee and there ain't no place he'd rather be singing and playing his homemade music. [6 July 2005] 
Various Artists: A Tribute to Billy Joe Shaver - LiveYee-haw: a concert held to honor a real honky tonk hero shows the pleasures and perils of tribute discs. [5 July 2005] Mark KozelekEx-Red House Painters front-man, literally, plays to the mall crowd. Reverent silence abounds... [17 June 2005] 
Snow White and Russian Red by Dorota MaslowskaA Polish novel that drolly depicts the country as a place where Snow White is a whore as love has been replaced by meaningless sex and strong drugs. Laura Cantrell'Turn around so I can see your backsides' and other ways of identifying an adoring audience. [16 June 2005] 
Bobby Conn and the Glass Gypsies: Live Classics, Volume 1This ain't no con job. Bobby and the band play sleazy glam rock as if the world depended on them for guidance and a good time. Let's dress up and join them!" [9 June 2005] 
Sparrow: The Early YearsSparrow combines pop and classical music '60s style. The band hasn't made its 'Walk Away Renee' yet, but the birds have created some fine music. [6 June 2005] 
Johnny Cash: Johnny Cash: Ridin’ the Rails (The Great American Train Story) [DVD]Choo-choo: Take a ride on the railroad with the Man in Black and learn one version of American railroad history. [27 May 2005] 
Various Artists: Basement TV, Vol. 1 [DVD]No interviews or extraneous footage, just live hip-hop performances at the record store or in the club presented by L.A.'s Basement Records. [24 May 2005] Jimmy Webb, except his songs... [21 May 2005] 
David Olney: MigrationAlthough David Olney's songs have been recorded by some great singers, he's a fine performer in his own right. [16 May 2005] 
Cheb i Sabbah: La KahenaMusic you can trance to: swirling and seductive North African music with a hypnotic dance beat and an ancient soul. [12 May 2005] 
Joe Lovano: Joyous EncounterJazz sax master Joe Lovano does it again for Blue Note, like he did it the time before and the time before that... [10 May 2005] 
Robert Earl Keen: What I Really MeanImagine Hank Williams dressed in drag with bright red lipstick singing songs about love, pain and human imperfection at a barroom in the city of Brotherly Love. [9 May 2005] 
Capercaillie: Grace and Pride: Anthology 2004-1984This double disc anthology celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Celtic band from England and contains 38 tracks from each of Capercaillie's 15 albums, plus previously unreleased bonus tracks. [20 April 2005] 
Loudon Wainwright III: Here Come the Choppers!Look out! A dozen new songs from Loudon Wainwright III show he has not mellowed during the past four decades. If anything, he's gotten meaner. [19 April 2005] 
Niyaz: self-titledDance in your head to electronic world music with poetic lyrics sung in Farsi and Urdu. [18 April 2005] 
Bobby Darin: Beyond the Song [DVD]This cheap and easy 'documentary' doesn't go very deep into Darin's biography, psyche, or contribution to the arts, but it nonetheless contains some enjoyable footage. 
Runaway Daughters (1994)It is your basic road movie, tracking three teenage girls who fake being kidnapped, steal a car, and skip town. [14 April 2005] 
Various Artists: The Times We’re Living In: A Red House AnthologyThe independent folk label Red House Records' latest compilation disc features all the usual suspects, including Greg Brown, Guy Davis and newly signed The Wailin' Jennys and Jimmy LaFave. No big surprises here, just a generous sampling from the recent catalogue. 
Nanci Griffith: One Fair Summer Evening… Plus! [DVD]A glimpse into Nanci Griffith's early days of promise as she stepped into the limelight with a live recording. 
The Duhks: self-titledLike a good blended whiskey, the Manitoba, Canadian band The Duhks combine a variety of strong flavors that don't get lost in the mix. [12 April 2005] 
Rory Block: From the DustAs wild as an Oklahoma dust storm or as soft and natural as the air we breathe, Rory Block takes the country blues into the 21st century. [11 April 2005] 
Tweet: It’s Me AgainSpring is here. Robins are on the wing. And after almost three year's of silence the Southern Hummingbird has released her sophomore disc. Like the robin's chirp, Tweet's sweet voice is a welcome sound. [5 April 2005] 
The Decemberists: PicaresqueBeware The Decemberists! The band's literate musings take audiences on a journey to the inner mind where ghosts lay in wait and shameful secrets are revealed for your listening pleasure. [22 March 2005] 
James King: The Bluegrass StorytellerJames King gives country songs the royal treatment by singing them bluegrass style. [17 March 2005] MatisyahuThe reggae fans stood, quaffing suds while the Jews sat and drank soda. Hasidic reggae will make brothers of us all. [8 February 2005] Balfa ToujoursBayou Ambassadors proclaim: 'A Cajun man is happy if he has a jug in one hand and a cup in the other.' Who isn't? [23 November 2004] BlogsNotes from the Road: Wanderlust Festival Day 3 [10 August 2009]Notes from the Road: Wanderlust Festival Day 2: 26 July 2009 - Lake Tahoe, CA [7 August 2009]Notes from the Road: Wanderlust Festival Day 1: 25 July 2009 - Lake Tahoe, CA [4 August 2009]Consuming Consumables: LISTEN - Sugar Hill Records: A Retrospective [8 December 2006] |
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