Dr. John - Locked Down

Whenever you team a veteran performer with one somewhat younger, it's always interesting. Look at Johnny Cash and Rick Rubin, or Loretta Lynn and Jack White. There's always a sense of energy that comes from the collaboration. The same could be said for that of Dr. John's latest disc - which teams him with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. The legendary performer sounds as much at home as he has been in several years. The title cut is notable, in part, because of two different sounds that are ...

Kelly Parkes - First 5

pend any amount of time with Kelly Parkes, and you will be able to tell she has a huge amount of energy. That comes through on her EP, which features a mixture of upbeat and slow material - all of which showcase her rich and stunning voice. She first made a impact at radio with songs like "Nothing" and the tempo-driven "Girl With A Fishing Rod." However, if you really want to hear the best example of what she can do, take a listen to "All Cried Out." The song, about reaching the bottom of your despair, and ...

Lonesome River Band - Chronology, Volume One

For three decades, the Lonesome River Band has been one of the top Bluegrass acts in the format. One of the reasons for that is that their sound has always continued to evolve. This collection is sterling proof of that. The songs are ones their fans are no doubt familiar with, but each of the songs have been re-cut to celebrate the band's milestone. Songs like "Mary Ann" sound just as good as ever. To be honest, though I am not the biggest fan of remakes, these work because of how more deeper and richer the band's vocal approach is now. The harmonies are even tighter than ever before, making for a perfect mix. Ditto that statement for "I'm Not...

Linda Chorney - Emotional Jukebox

The name of Linda Chorney has been in the music news quite a bit over the past couple of months. She managed to gain a Grammy nomination this year in the Best Americana Album category thanks without any large amount of sales or airplay. She did join the Grammy 365 website - which has been compared to Facebook, and ask members of the Recording Academy to listen to her music. Well, let me see. The Grammys are about the music, right? So, if the voters deemed her worthy, I don't see that it matters how she got there. Plus, I've got to say it's a little more interesting than the same nominees every year. But, as Forrest Gump once...

The Livesays – Rose Colored Glasses

South Florida pop/rock band The Livesays deserves to be heard on a national stage. Locals have known this to be so since their inception in 1996. The quintet of seasoned veteran musicians has got the radio-ready mojo going on – a chemistry and sound that are all at once comfortably familiar and walking the edge of “Who is THAT?” Led by Billy Livesay, longtime lead singer and guitarist for the late Clarence Clemons’ band Temple of Soul, whose soulful, smoky rasp and vocal range are nothing short...

Exile - People Get Ready

During the mid-1980s, there were few groups in Country Music - even Alabama - any hotter at radio than Exile. Longtime Music Row force Buddy Killen helped the group form a sound that made them a force to be reckoned with, thanks to songs like "I Don't Want To Be A Memory," "She's A Miracle," and "Super Love." The group changed lead singers a couple of times, in the early 1990s as J.P. Pennington and Les Taylor went solo, but now all five of the band members that brought magic to the airwaves almost three decades ago are "Together Again." But, the clincher of the deal is that not only is the group back with new music --they sound wonderful. While to go back to those Killen days would make

Jay Scott Berry - Keepsake

A rising star on the international music front, Jay Scott Berry is a very versatile artist. He opens this album with a countrified version of Bob Seger's classic "Turn The Page." That might not sound like the greatest thing per se, but the Nevada native pulls it off and then some. This disc is a collection of songs that you no doubt have heard several times, but the singer puts a nice stamp on each. Nobody will ever make you forget about the original versions of such chestunts like "Please Come To Boston," "Play Me," and "Wonderful Tonight." His varied career has taken him everywhere - his native Nevada, Nashville, even to the hallowed...

Music Worth Buying: Esperanza Spaulding and The Chieftans

Orange County Register (CA) music critic Robert Kinsler and his co-host, TJR review new CDs. This week TJ talks about the latest Jazz/Pop album from Best New Artist Grammy Winner, Esperanza Spaulding "Radio Music Society". And Robert talks about the Multi Artist Collaboration from the Chieftans "Voice of Ages".

Lexi James - Self Titled

Massachusetts native Lexi James's style is very much modern in style and arrangement. One thing, however, that is old-school about her is her voice. There are no corners cut there. She is an amazing talent with a stunning vocal range, and though she is still developing as a tunesmith, she is also one heckuva songwriter. Having already made an impact at secondary radio with her current single release "Here You Go," James has an infectious sound on the uptempo fare here...

Johnny Cash - The Soul Of Truth: Bootleg, Volume IV

There were so many sides and eras to the music of Johnny Cash. There was the wild-child of the Sun Records era. There was the voice of the downtrodden - whether it be a prisoner or someone of another nationality. There was the elder statesman Cash of the late 1980s, searching for his way. Of course, he found it by reverting to a similar sound to his Sun output for Rick Rubin in the 1990s and early 2000s. One of the threads that tied all of Cash's recordings together was his deep love of Gospel Music. This two-CD set features some of the more rare...

Marty McIntosh – The American Night

Gulf Shores, Alabama country artist Marty McIntosh makes his debut on Nashville America Records with his album, “The American Night.” Produced by David Frizzell, this eleven-track CD interweaves throwback-feel songs with more contemporary pieces, all written by some of Music Row’s finest. With equal parts grit and twang in his voice, McIntosh starts showing his best stuff after warming up midway through the record on “Stupid Tax,” where he holds his own in verses with stripped...

Rascal Flatts - Changed

I'm going to be honest with you. As a fan, I have appreciated their music over the years, but as a reviewer, it's a little difficult for me to get excited about the music of Rascal Flatts. That's not a knock on the guys - or a reflection of the quality of their music. It's just the fact that you know this record is going to sell a couple of million because of the name on the cover. That, itself, isn't a bad thing either. You need acts like that because of the climate of the business. But, if you like something a lot on an album, there's a little bit of a "Why bother" opinion. That, ahem, "Changed" when I heard this album. The band, a fixture in the scene for well over...

Memarie Gayle - Faith Over Fear

Memarie Gayle was been working her way through the Music Row ranks for several years now, and has shown herself to be completely at ease whether the style be traditional country or something a little bit more contemporary. The Louisiana native has just issued a new disc that could very well be the best thing she has ever done. Writing all seven of the songs herself, the disc is obviously the most personal the songstress has released yet. Kicking off with the upbeat and positive "My Saturday...

The Grascals – Life Finds A Way

Since forming eight years ago, the Grascals have become one of Bluegrass Music’s top acts. The harmony of Jamie Johnson, Terry Eldredge, and Terry Smith is well worth the price of admission alone. However, throw in the talents of Kristin Scott Benson on the banjo, Danny Roberts on the mandolin, and Jeremy Abshire on the fiddle, you have a group that plays with synergy and such heart that will amaze you and astound you. Those words could very well be used to describe the music...

T.G. Sheppard - Because You Love Me

T.G. Sheppard has enjoyed one of the most varied careers in the Country Music business. He was a record promoter for RCA Records, working singles for acts such as Waylon, Dolly, Porter, and Elvis Presley. As an artist, he signed with the Melodyland label (an imprint of Motown), and began a run of hits as an artist himself with 1974's "Devil In The Bottle." So, after all these years in the business, you would think there's not much that Sheppard hasn't done. Well, think again. The singer has just issued his first-ever Gospel album, and it is quite the project. T.G. brings a warmth and depth to these recordings. The lyrics of a standard like...