Ilana Katz Katz takes things to a higher level on Subway Stories
Ilana Katz Katz is a fast rising star in the greater-Boston/New England blues scene. Her last two album whet the regional crowd’s appetite. Her numerous live appearances, including many in the city’s Red Line subway station, have heightened her sense of presence. This third album, produced by Barry Levenson of Canned Heat fame, manages to preserve the integrity of Katz’s Appalachian folk and Delta blues influences and techniques while offering a hipper, edgier vibe this time around. She co-wrote with Levenson most of the songs while interspersing a few tasteful traditional ballads.
Linda Marks succeeds on all levels with Singer/Songwriter album
Linda Marks’ second release this year, Singer/Songwriter, shows more of her pop ballad side than her more jazz oriented Say Yes To Love, released last September. Like the previous album, Marks displays vocals that soar, rising up to a high register, waving in her breezy numbers like a flag of musical beauty. She also reaches the listener’s soft spot each time with her insightful lyrics.
Crooked Coast have fun their own way with Put The Night On
It is hard to define what Crooked Coast is all about. This Cape Cod rock band begins this new CD Put The Night On with a rapper doing his rap thing over an acoustic guitar, drum set tinkering, and the usual rap beat. After this initial intro, Put The Night On turns into a rock album, though the term rock doesn’t completely cover everything going on with this band of Cape Cod musicians.
Peter Parcek offers serious musicianship, tones on Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven
Peter Parcek’s latest CD Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven offers, among fine musicianship, many tasty nuggets of tone that create exciting sonic landscapes. Parcek immerses his listener into his own world of sound. Whether he’s playing slidy material, contrasting guitar parts, or interesting chord progressions, Parcek maintains a freshness, originality, and a high level of excitement in every meter
Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers keep it real on Big Road
Erin Harpe And The Delta Swingers’ new CD Big Road offers a loving heap of old style blues to audiences who can appreciate both the traditional sound and the energy of modern twists. Recorded, mostly, at Verdant Studio in southern Vermont, Big Road is exactly what it sounds like, a route with two or more travel lanes.
Kirsten Manville has a lot to offer listeners on Some People Sing
Kirsten Manville’s latest CD Some People Sing, is a fine assortment of rootsie flavored singer-songwriter material. Produced by Brian Maes at his Briola Studios in Lynn, Massachusetts, Manville’s CD rings with authentic grit. Her vocal sounds clear and pure and the instruments can be heard in all of their natural tone glory in each of these ten songs.
Rick Berlin W/ The Nickel & Dime Band strike solid gold once again with The Courage Of The Lonely
Rick Berlin with The Nickel & Dime Band’s latest CD The Courage Of The Lonely is another winsome affair. Berlin reaches back into older rock and roll idioms and pulls them into the present to write songs that have dramatic punch while remaining true to the original forms. This results in some incredibly good rock and roll numbers that leave one wondering how this guy Berlin isn’t as big as the guys in The Traveling Wilburys.
Crowes Pasture combine acoustic folk elements to great success on Edge Of America
Crowes Pasture strum up a storm on debut CD Edge Of America. This duo, Monique Byrne and Andy Rogovin, present a combination of original songs and covers that reflect their influences and let them showcase their folk music influences. Acoustic instruments and vocals shine in this earthy reflection of talent.
The Weisstronauts do it again with Flat Bottom Cold Greaser, a fine batch of instrumental guitar rock
The Weisstronauts rock right out with yet another fine bunch of instrumental guitar rock tunes on Flat Bottom Cold Greaser, their sixth full length CD since forming in 1999. Their unusual combo of guitar styles and rock subgenres make for many fun moments. They also keep things interesting.
Likho Duo document a fine sound on Blues And The World Beyond
Guitarist and harmonica player Noe Socha and upright bass player Cliff Schmitt play the instrumental blues acoustic style in their Likho Duo. Documenting their song selections in this Blues And The World Beyond album was a wise idea. Their arrangements provide a glimpse into the initial kernel around which these songs were built. What the two accomplish from there is amazing.
