Jane Ross Fallon comes up with another fine folk album, Songs On Purpose
Jane Ross Fallon’s latest CD Songs On Purpose are a gathering of fine folk tunes imbued with as much emotion as message. Fallon lets it be known where her sympathies lie. Her 11 track album is accompanied by a book titled Beyond Reason: Songwriting On Purpose that explains a lot about the songwriting process that Fallon employed to get these songs written and recorded.
Sarah And The Wild Versatile strike out boldly on Fall Into Grace album
It’s hard to pigeonhole what kind of rock music Sarah & Wild Versatile are playing on their new disc Fall Into Grace. It’s tones are unusual from what rock bands play and their song structures are also unique. Vocalist Sarah Seminski approaches the vocal melody line with her personal quirks and techniques, further insuring that is nothing usual about this band’s signature sound. Guitarist Eric Reardon also leaves his own musical fingerprints of ingenuity all over this album, taking this whole affair to a higher level.
Lower Falls offer fine approach to pared down rock and roll on Maybe Tomorrow
Milton, Massachusetts band Lower Falls have released this new 8 track album of airy, tasteful rock music. Titled Maybe Tomorrow, this CD floats by like a dream, a cloud of intricately strung music that never overwhelms as it offers music that appeals to the soul as well as to the ears. This band’s influences seem to be drawn from the kinds of groups who always kept their rock and roll pared down but with a strong feeling and voice. The band is: Geoff Shaw on vocals, acoustic guitar; Kevin Dambruch on electric guitars, keyboards; Adam Winkler on bass, backing vocals; and Gary Gardiner on drums.
Retro CD Review: Jane Fallon’s 2006 masterwork City Girl deserves a second look
Some things only get even better with time. Ten years have passed since Brookline, New Hampshire singer-songwriter Jane Fallon released her country flavored singer-songwriter album City Girl. While her blend of country and folk idioms may have seemed a no-no in the eyes of promoters and radio station personnel, Fallon came up with a startlingly beautiful album. Her voice is tender sweet and her lyrics witty sharp while the instrumentation beneath her vocal is ever so right, especially some fine pedal steel melodies, all produced by the incomparable studio wiz Seth Connelly.
Retro CD Review: Cheryl Arena’s Blues Got Me disc still shines after 14 years
It’s been about 14 years since Cheryl Arena released her debut CD Blues Got Me. After all of this time, the disc still serves as a fine document of her abilities and she can still use it as a calling card to get into all kinds of venues. Her songs range from inventive originals clever of arrangements of timeless classics, from basic, assertive guitar driven blues songs to more elaborate horn laden material for big bands. Produced by the legendary Duke Robillard, Arena’s talents on vocals and harmonica manage to standout among her impressive song craft and imaginative arrangements.
Bella’s Bartok impresses doing things their way on Change Yer Life album
Bella’s Bartok’s first full length album Change Yer Life is loaded with this Northampton, Massachusetts band’s trademark party vibe quirk. Incorporating Hungarian folk music, gypsy influences, and other old world elements, Bella’s Bartok makes you feel like you’re at a swinging party at a German dance hall.
Dan and Faith Senie offers charming, winsome folk album Seeking
The Bolton, Massachusetts folk duo Dan Senie and Faith Senie, known professionally as Dan And Faith, have released this winsome folksy album Seeking. Seeking builds each of its 13 songs upon the strong chemistry of this husband and wife duo. When they trade off on lead vocal, they create a sweet, building mystery, something that keeps the listener intrigued with where they are taking their song. When they come together in harmony, they weave the warmest tapestry of voice.
Laura Vecchione reveals immense talent on Love Lead album
Laura Vecchione’s latest album Love Lead grabs hold of the listener’s ears from the first track and never lets go. On fire for 13 songs, this Boston-based singer rocks, struts, and sometimes lulls her listener into a special place in each track.
Boston producer Michael Dinallo helms fine, fun Charlie Rich tribute CD for Memphis International
Boston roots rock guitarist Michael Dinallo recently helmed a special recording project in Memphis for the Memphis International Records label. He produced a collection of Charlie Rich’s songs that were originally recorded by legendary producer Sam Phillips at Memphis’s Sam Phillips Recording studio. Dinallo helms a band in this recording featuring himself on electric and acoustic guitars, Tim Carroll on electric guitar, and greater-Boston rhythm section of Preston Rumbaugh on bass with Tom Hambridge on drums. The CD also includes roots, blues, and country singers from around the country, making this album feel like a true national reflection on this old time singer-songwriter piano player. While many know of Rich from his 1970s AM radio hits, he was one of the pioneers at the time rock, blues, country, and rockabilly were often recorded by the same artists at the same studio.
Jon McAuliffe outdoes himself with exceptionally fine album Old School Moderne
Jon McAuliffe’s latest CD Old School Medicine is certainly medicine for the soul and for the ears. McAuliffe is uncannily adept at translating emotions and humor in a variety of nifty Americana roots styles. He has come up with an album that delights in a full, three dimensional manner with high quality production values and a broad, painterly vision.
