Jay Psaros reflects depth, subtle skill on The Trees Beyond The Town
Jay Psaros, in his new CD, The Trees Beyond The Town, shines with an ineffable charm. Psaros has a light touch that is inexplicably appealing, something in between the notes that is unique to him. He keeps it politely understated, allowing his backing musicians to offer fine swells of sound around him that perfectly match […]
Willie J. Laws scores high marks for Black Maria
The largeness of sound and the largeness of purpose on Willie J. Laws’ new CD Black Maria cannot be overstated. This is a big album and it’s a big deal. Laws’ vocals, guitar, and his friends on their supporting instruments all weave a masterpiece of sound. This beautiful disc opens with the wide ranging, free […]
Anthony Geraci brings blues to a higher level with Why Did You Have To Go
Anthony Geraci has really come into his own the last few years with his layered, sophisticated blues albums. This keyboard player, usually with Sugar Ray And The Bluetones, is a brilliant songwriter and composer as well as an A list musician in the greater-Boston/New England blues scene. What he offers here on Why Did You […]
Wildcat O’Halloran Band offers strongest CD yet with the impressive New York City Chill
Wildcat O’Halloran Band recently released another of their very strong blues CDs. Titled New York City Chill, it’s loaded with tasty blues songs composed, arranged, and performed by O’Halloran and his usual suspects Emily Duff, Kathy Peterson, and Mark Chouinard. Its variety of blues styles is only one of its strengths. Each tune, well fleshed […]
Tyler Morris Band introduces itself with feisty, tasteful Next In Line
Tyler Morris Band’s debut album Next In Line is full of high voltage performances from the local teenage guitarist who has been burning up local festival stages the last several months. Featuring many of the songs most of us have heard him play live since he came out of nowhere last year, this CD will […]
Sarah Mendelsohn’s debut solo disc IF an emotional, lyrical, musical masterwork
Sarah Mendelsohn’s debut solo CD IF is one of those local artist offerings that make you wonder why this artist is not already signed and famous. IF, loaded with finely crafted, rich, tuneful songs, manages to be a complete album experience from bright beginning to glorious finale. There are not too many traces of her […]
Osi Brathwaite gets by with a little help from his friends; Norwood fundraiser set for Nov 11
Osi Brathwaite is a very fortunate man. Although he is dealing with a daunting medical condition, Brathwaite has friends like Willie J. Laws who are helping him through his ordeal. Laws didn’t want to take all the credit so he swiftly pointed out that his partner Joan Debow and music scene promoters John Hall and […]
November; a music month to salute and be thankful for
November is associated with many tender observances: Election Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving, and Black Friday. With so much to be grateful for, thankful for, and a day to shop like crazy, why not also take in some band shows performed by our seriously talented New England bands at our most beloved, well-respected venues. Here are […]
Brave and relentless, singer-songwriter Ilene Springer sets her sights, spreads her wings
Ilene Springer has been on the singer-songwriter scene since she started appearing at south shore open mics and jams 25 years ago. A few years later she branched out to playing restaurants in and around her home town of Weymouth, Massachusetts. After a while she found herself playing gigs in Boston, Providence and beyond. “I’ve […]
Doug MacDonald Band let it rip on Soundcheck
Doug McDonald Band just released their fifth album since forming in 2008. Titled Soundcheck, it shows a seasoned band that hasn’t let its quirkiness get washed out of their sound by studio producers or trends. In fact, this simple duo of guitarist-vocalist Doug MacDonald and drummer Patty Short don’t sound quite like anyone we’ve heard […]
