Howie Newman weaves warm songs out of life’s more challenging moments
Howie Newman’s latest CD is a collection of his previously recorded songs in live coffeehouse performances. Newman offers many of his audiences’ favorites with a breath of fresh air from the in person energy going on in these rooms. You Shoulda Been There–Howie Newman “Live” In Concert allows the humor-laden folks songs to breathe, finding […]
List of favorite songs by local New England artists
A week ago I posted my second list of some of my favorite songs. I stuck to nationally and internationally known bands, even though I’m a local greater-Boston/New England based music journalist, to insure they were songs everybody would recognize. Just the other day I had a realization that the younger generation would sum up […]
Aerosmith’s latest CD is pretty darn good
Aerosmith has released their first album of original material in ten years. Music From Another Dimension! is another of their modern era albums that attempts to recapture their infectious punchy rock from the 1970s while including some slow ballads intended for radio play and movie soundtracks. And most of the songs work well and a […]
Judy Pancoast offers fun, talent, and holiday spirit on Christmas With Mrs. Claus
Judy Pancoast makes a great Mrs. Claus. She fills the roll quite well on her latest holiday album, Christmas With Mrs. Claus. This CD is part storytelling, part Christmas music for the whole family. Pancoast’s sensibilities are informed by the cheery pop music and singer-songwriters she grew up with in the 1970s, infusing her original […]
Blues Tonight Band score big with Zombie Blues CD
Blues Tonight Band have released their first full length CD Zombie Blues. The disc is loaded with feisty blues songs steeped in traditional idioms with modern aggression. All 11 tracks are original songs written by guitarists-vocalists Craig Farrington and Dave Bottom. Each songwriter is steeped in a variety of blues styles and their multiple influences […]
Rebecca Harrold shines on debut CD The River Of Life
After serving as piano player for the Boston Ballet for several years, Rebecca Harrold has recorded and released The River Of Life CD. Harrold fills each track with a variety of instrumental mood music. From stirring, striking themes to forlorn expressions of life’s not so happy moments. Through it all, Harrold maintains high musical integrity, […]
My second list of personal favorite songs
I received a lot of positive feedback the last time I wrote one of these lists of some of my favorite songs. I wrote that last one because I was tired of reading lists of greatest albums and greatest songs in Rolling Stone Magazine and in other publications. I’m still scratching my head wondering how […]
Brendan Kelley could go national on strength of Quicksand CD
Young Boston rocker Brendan Kelley kicks ass on his new Quicksand CD. Kelley’s raspy vocal, pounding rhythm section, and edgy guitar work make this a non-stop party. The crystal clear sonics are polished and let every note ring clean and pure. Kelley and each of his players don’t just play instruments. Each player layers these […]
Barbara Cassidy shines on traditional sounding CD Leaving Things The Way I Found Them
Barbara Cassidy sings and writes in a style solidly influenced by traditional folk idioms passed down through the centuries. Aside from that distinction from modern folkies and singer-songwriters, she also uses her voice in a style suggesting classical refinement. When she puts it all together on this Barbara Cassidy Band album, Leaving Things The Way […]
Kayla Ringelheim expresses beauty and truth on Wandering Feet CD
Kayla Ringelheim graces her Wandering Feet album with her silky smooth timbre and her stellar lineup of notable local players. Personal stories and emotional honesty make this a very warm and likeable album. Ringelheim composed music that’s loaded with lush melodic and harmonic textures. Producer(and drummer) Lorne Entress pulls a beautiful, natural sound out of […]
