Chris Steele abounds with sunny talents on Tales Told Out Of School
Boston area’s Chris Steele is a pleasant listen. His witty and wise observations of life are married to his sweetly sincere vocal. His songs are personal enough to remind listeners of something whispered into their ears by a confidant. A huge Rush fan growing up, it’s only natural that Steele wraps his singer-songwriter observations and […]
Gerry Beaudoin Trio creates wide jazz sound within tight trio on Blues & Ballads & More
On his new Blues & Ballads & More album, Gerry Beaudoin Trio serve up a platter of jazz treats, music influenced by swing jazz and bop, a combo of styles that has influenced Beaudoin through out his career. Aside from two Duke Ellington standards, this album is made up of original compositions from Beaudoin and […]
Jennifer Tefft & The Strange make Strange Beginnings cool
Jennifer Tefft knew it was time for a change. She traded her Jennifer Tefft Band in for Jennifer Tefft And the Strange, a new grouping with a bit of an eerie, edgy twist. JTATS just released Strange Beginnings, an eight song document of what that new sound is all about. The eight pieces are startlingly […]
The Namedroppers deliver the goods with ever more slickness on Starshine
On their new Starshine album, Connecticut’s blues, soul, R&B, oldies rock and roll amalgam The Name Droppers deliver more of the kind of emotive, heartfelt snappy soul grooves they’ve become well known for. Only this time around, their album is a bit more slick, possesses a little more of the motion filled groove and fine […]
Fred Lipsius captures his listeners’ hearts with Facets Of Love
A former member of the popular Blood Sweat & Tears, Fred Lipsius is these days a professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Aside from his work with that popular jazz-rock band from the late 1960s to early 1970s, Lipsius still creates good work. His recent release Facets Of Love showcase his arranging and […]
The Bluest Sky move boldly forward with sophomore effort Raindancer
The Bluest Sky recently released their sophomore album, Raindancer. A woman performing a rain dance on the album cover and the album’s title do not represent someone who dances to conjure rain but rather someone who dances in the rain. That is, someone who dances no matter the weather. That sums up band leader and […]
Bradley Copper Kettle And Friends serve up a Supertaster of an album
Bradley Copper Kettle And Friends released their Supertaster album last fall. It is still receiving air play and positive feedback. Being a Boston band that represents Americana flavors with modern day muscular instrumentation, Bradley Copper Kettle And Friends possess the pound of rock with yesteryear’s favorites. Alt country, grunge country, funk, and jam all rear […]
Rhode Island musical genius Tequila Jim gets even better with Time War
Like all of Tequila Jim’s albums Time War is a heaping together of beautifully weird and often contrasting musical styles and approaches. Part acoustic hippie, part classic rock, part singer-songwriter fair, his material plows together a lot of fun elements. While some artists would have a messy album with such diverse inclusions, Rhode Island’s Tequila […]
Frankie Boy & The Blues Express show true blues muscle on Young Man’s Blues
Winning a couple of blues challenges was not really a challenge for Frankie Boy & The Blues Express. This fairly young trio of blues players, fronted by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Frankie Maneiro, can likely achieve any goal they desire within the world of blues. Their debut album Young Man’s Blues showcases how much serious […]
April Cushman stood tall with The Long Haul
April Cushman’s previous CD release The Long Haul proves a worthy effort. While The Long Haul does not elevate the art form of country music by adding new twists to standard formulas, it moves with rock and roll attitude and country heart. It’s the gusto and then the subtle minutes that keep one listening to […]
