Bim Skala Bim offer more of their ska influenced magic on Chet’s Last Call
Bim Skala Bim’s latest release Chet’s Last Call is another reminder why we all fell in love with this band to begin with. On the music scene since 1983, they formed in Boston as a third generation ska band. Though they’ve taken time off over the years from the studio and the road, they never really went away. They still have all of their creative skills firmly intact. Chet’s Last Call, recorded at Woolly Mammoth Sound in Waltham, Massachusetts, is loaded with choice ska influenced horn band numbers. Listeners will likely find themselves singing along to the hooky chorus in each song while moving their feet to each infectious groove.
Kari Tieger offer another album of sweet sounds with Illumination
Kari Tieger’s latest album Illumination is a delightful combination of bouncy, show tune inspired pop and singer-songwriter sensibility. Don’t let the jaunty lightness of the sprightly music fool you. Much seriousness abounds from the lyrics Tieger has written and from the covers she has selected. While her especially lovely voice and dainty piano lines feel […]
John Primer rules the Chicago blues sound on Call Me John Primer compilation album
Just a few year’s ago, John Primer’s released this compilation album, Call Me John Primer, to give fans a broader perspective on his lengthy career in blues. Since forming his first band in 1964, Primer has been a serious student of the blues. He made his way up through the ranks of Chicago bands at the windy city’s most prestigious blues venues. Primer played with the likes of Jimmy Johnson, Junior Wells, Smokey Smothers, and Lonnie Brooks before becoming a road musician for Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, and Magic Slim. After leaving Slim’s Teardrops, Primer struck out on his own, releasing a series of impressive, well-received albums. He has also been one of the most visible performers at the world’s most renown blues festivals. It would be a gross understatement to say he carries the torch of the blues spirit from previous generations.
Propergander have much to offer on sweeping Wide Open album
Propergander’s new album Wide Open has enough classic rock influences to make the listener feel he is listening to something not only great but comfortably familiar. This Martha’s Vineyard band’s straight forward rock and roll is chockfull of good guitar lines, earthy vocals, and tasteful rhythm section touches. Lead vocalist Ernie Dewing has a plaintive quality in his timbre and projection that makes you feel what he is singing about. Guitarist Greg Holland presses out some sweet melodic phrases that sweep by like a magic carpet ride. Dewing and Holland are also keyboardists and that extra layer of organ and piano make their songs feel and sound extra soulful.
Daphne Lee Martin offers another outstanding album with Frost
Daphne Lee Martin’s latest album Frost announces itself with a wave of knobby synthesizer, a bulbous sound that suggest the bountiful fulsomeness that her recording has to offer. Martin’s soundscapes consist of everything from modern keyboards, some vintage colors and styles, and more than a dash of rocking electric guitar. Her genius lies in her ability to weave an array of musical elements from the entire 20th century into one song, cohesively, impressively, seamlessly, to become a beautiful new creation that stands on its own merits, apart from influences.
Lowman impress with dazzling new Garden Of Eden album
Lowman’s latest CD Garden Of Rainbows is, indeed, an amazing growth of colors, tones, and many other special things. Sure to be included in many “Best of 2014” lists and in many awards shows, the album has a lot to offer to even the most discerning listeners while enticing people to get up on the dance floor. The title track is a sweet, Beatlesque confection of warm vocals and jaunty, fun keyboards. The album soon follows with a hip, mid-tempo rocker with a clever rhyme scheme. The remainder of the album comes across like more of this sweet variety of nuances, shadings, and outstanding instrumentation and vocals.
Mark Cutler does it again with roots nugget CD Dreamland
Mark Cutler has been a fixture in the New England roots music scene for some time now. The Rhode Island native’s latest album Dreamland continues his tradition of laying down earthy, soulful music with rich acoustic instrumentation around his mellow, flowing vocal, driving beats, and edgy guitar.
Lance Norris CD Untraditionally Handsome is country & western redneck delight
Lance Norris proudly wears his redneck attitude on his sleeve on his Unconditionally Handsome CD. Norris’s gravelly, whisky-soaked voice is rich and full of character, making you believe his tales from the trailer park. His songs come complete with chirpy, twangy guitar melodies that are packed with much musical integrity and earthy storytelling.
Machine 475 impress in their own way on Cosmic Highway CD
Machine 475 is a north shore band that’s unafraid to make music their own way. When the liner credits include a programmer, a sitar and synth player, Theremin and turntablist, and an accordion player with the same weight as a guitarist and percussionist, a listener knows he’s in for something completely different. Machine 475 are a much needed breath of fresh air on the greater-Boston music scene. Their latest album Cosmic Highway is a rush of rocking, space age instrumentals that will entertain as well as challenge.
Michelle Willson and her Evil Gal Festival Orchestra offer fine live album Fortune Cookie
Michelle Willson’s new live album Fortune Cookie Live At Scullers shows the artist in her most natural setting, a stage in an upscale Boston music venue. Rangy and powerful by nature, classy in her delivery, Willson reaches true musical heights in her interpretation of 1950s soul. Her Evil Gal Festival Orchestra consists of drummer Zac Casher, upright bassist Sven Larson, guitarist Mike Mele, pianist Shinichi Otsu, and reed player Scott Shetler. That force of nature voice combined with such A-list players can only make a fine showing of their talents.
