Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan - In Session...

Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan - In Session...
2010, Stax Records

It was a one time union that has become legendary.  In December of 1983, the legendary Albert King shared a soundstage with Stevie Ray Vaughan, a young buck who would himself become a legend.  That recording session has been memorialized several times over the years on CD, but on November 9th of this year Stax Records made the video from that session available for the first time in the form of a CD/DVD package.  In Session... captures two icons of the blues practicing their art in a laid back setting that allows a serious yet playful musical nature shine through. 

The album itself has been on the market for years, and if you're already familiar with it there's little to be said.  If, however, you are new to the blues, then In Session may be the perfect place to get your feet wet.  King and Vaughan create magic here and the album is worth owning for anyone with even a passing interest in the blues.  The real reason to buy this release, however, is the DVD, which features three performances not previously available ("Born Under A Bad Sign", "Texas Flood" and "I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town".  The video here offers an insight into the chemistry King and Vaughan achieved on the magical winter's night.  That chemistry is apparent in the music on the CD, but you can almost see the energy flow back and forth between the two icons on DVD.

It's reasonable to be skeptical of the sort of value-added re-releases the music industry is so fond of.  They are ultimately cheap ways for the record companies to extact more cash from fans for things they essentially already own.  Occasionally you get fair value in return, and In Session... is one such occasion.  The addition of the DVD illuminates the musical performances on the CD sufficiently to be of value to fans.  And if you're not familiar with Albert King or Stevie Ray Vaughan, you'd be hard pressed to find a better introduction.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Information about Albert King is available from Stax Records, while you can learn more about Stevie Ray Vaughan at http://www.srvofficial.com/.  In Session... is available as a CD/DVD combo, Audio Download, or DVD from Amazon.com.

Mike Farris - The Night The Cumberland Came Alive

2010, Entertainment One Music

Mike Farris - The Night The Cumberland Came Alive

Mike Farris first caught the public eye as front man for The Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies.  He went on to perform with CSW, Peaceful Knievel and Double Trouble (Stevie Ray Vaughan's band) before becoming a practicing Christian and rejecting his former lifestyle.  In the time since, Farris has become a highly lauded performer in Gospel music, blending Americana, folk and blues into the mix.  His album Salvation In Lights made numerous critics lists in 2007, and Farris has been a regular performer in Nashville and at major festivals ever since.  Like so many others, Farris was deeply affected by last year's "thousand year flood" in Nashville and its environs.  On October 26, 2010, Farris releases The Night The Cumberland Came Alive", a six song EP that commemorates the event and celebrates the revitalization of the entire area.

Recorded just weeks after the flood, The Night The Cumberland Came Alive boasts an all-star cast of musicians, including Sam Bush; Kenny Vaughan (Marty Stuart); Old Crow Medicine Show's Ketch Secor and Gill Landy, The McCrary Sisters, Byron House (Robert Plant) and members of Farris' Roseland Rhythm Revue.  The EP opens with the title track.  Written about the flood and its aftermath, "The Night The Cumberland Came Alive" is pure pre-war Americana and Gospel and is full of the sort of energy that can only be inspired by great tragedy and triumph.  "Wrapped Up, Tangled Up" is a witness song in the Southern Gospel tradition.  Farris is amazing on vocals here in a powerful and moving arrangement.  "Down On Me" blends blues, folk and gospel in an inspired if somewhat tempered rendition.  Farris and Ketch Secor wrote "Dear Lazarus" just days before the EP was recorded.  The cut offered here gets a bit busy at times, but was essentially a jam.  Exuberance aside, you can hear the magic in the moment of the song.  "Mother Earth" is a song of humility in the face of then-recent events, a reminder that people spring forth from the earth and in time owe themselves back to whence they came.  Farris closes with "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me", an inspired tune and great close to what must have been a magical experience.

The Night The Cumberland Came Alive reflects the joy and thankfulness of a people who have stared destruction in the face and lived to talk about it.  It's a transitive moment and one that is captured in fine form by Mike Farris and friends.  This EP is a gift to all humanity, not so much even for the music but because it captures the moment so perfectly and completely.  That's not a knock on the songs on The Night The Cumberland Came Alive; the entire EP is a first class listening experience.  This one's special.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Mike Farris at www.mikefarrismusic.net or www.myspace.com/mikefarrismusic.  The Night The Cumberland Came Alive drops on October 26, 2010, but you can pre-order the album on CD or as a Download from Amazon.com.  A portion of the proceeds from The Night The Cumberland Came Alive will go toward feeding and clothing the homeless of Nashville.

Rob Blaine - Big Otis Blues

Rob Blaine - Big Otis Blues
2010, Swississippi Records

Rob Blaine plays the blues with a purpose. He's out to prove that the blues doesn't need to be said. A modern blues guitarist with all the chops in his arsenal, Blaine plays a brand of blues that's somewhere between southern rock n roll and the Texas blues of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Add in a bit of soul and funk and you've got the aural picture. Blaine releases Big Otis Blues on September 21, 2010. It's one of the debut releases from the fledgling Swississippi Records, and blurs a lot of boundaries between blues, soul, funk and rock n roll.

Big Otis Blues opens with "Not The Forgiving Kind", an upbeat and danceable kiss off tune that will get stuck in your grille and stay there for days. Blaine adds a soulful vocal to powerful rockin' blues and fills in some serious electric fire on his six-string. "Only Mine" is a soulful exposition of heartbreak, framed by outstanding piano and guitar interplay, filling in over one another like waves on the shoreline. Blaine puts his rock n roll shoes on for "Affection And Pain", throwing off deadly riffs around a roof-raising vocal performance. Blaine gets a blues-meets-gospel feel on the reverently secular "Same Old Blues". One of the most complete compositions on the album, "Same Old Blues" could find play in blues clubs in most any era.

The funk comes out on "Hour Glass Baby" before Blaine slides into the gentle guitar instrumental "Gone, Not Forgot". It's a nice turn, a peaceful aside in the middle of the album. Blaine picks right up where he left off somewhere, with the raucous admonition of "Trouble", "you should get a life of your own someday". Blaine blisters through the song with some impressive guitar solos and fills up the space in between with his big textured voice. "Must Be Nice" has Blaine bringing the high heat in a muscle-up blues/rock number that shakes the timbers and rattles the doors. Some of Blaine's most impressive guitar work on the album is found right here. "Don't Burn Down The Bridges" is another showpiece tune, allowing Blaine and his band to show off their chops in a rollicking bit of blues-based rock n roll. Big Otis Blues closes with an acoustic version of "Must Be Nice" that is compelling. Blaine's guitar work remains outstanding, but the stripped down arrangement gives more show space to his prodigious voice. It's the perfect aperitif to a plate full of blues.

Rob Blaine has hit feet planted firmly in the blues on Big Otis Blues even as he ventures into rock n roll to varying degrees. Big Otis Blues is an impressive introduction to a dynamic guitarist who also happens to have a voice people would stop on the street to listen to. Blaine is the complete package, and Big Otis Blues is a portent of things to come.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Rob Blaine at http://www.bigotisblues.com/ or www.myspace.com/bigrobblaine.  Big Otis Blues drops September 21, 2010.  Pre-orders of the CD are available through Amazon.com.

Dick50 - Late Show

Dick50 - Late Show
2010, East Folks Music

Dick50 is, among other things, the backing band for Delbert McClinton. Creative souls themselves, the band plays and writes their own material when they’re not supporting McClinton. Dick50’s Late Show is a charming album mixing elements of Rock, Funk and Soul in a blissed out, melancholy package. The band shows a distinctive ability to craft catchy melodies and arrangements while exploring sounds from garage to blues-inflected pop. Highlights include the funky "Flyin' Now", "Medicine Man", the raw garage anthem "Dirty South" and the Black Crowes inspired "Goldilocks". This is a band that's fun to listen to at home, but likely a whole lot more fun in a roadside bar on a Saturday night where Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special share billing on the jukebox with Stevie Ray Vaughan and Hank Williams, Jr. Late Show is entertaining.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Dick50 at http://www.dick50.com/ or www.myspace.com/dick50band. Late Show is available as either a CD or Download from Amazon. A digital version is also available from iTunes.

Review: Jonny Lang - Live At The Ryman

Jonny Lang - Live At The Ryman
2010, Concord Records

Jonny Lang was a phenom when he broke onto the national scene in the mid-1990's, displaying blues guitar chops and a voice that rivaled artists many years his senior. Now an established artist with half a dozen albums under his belt, Lang is one of the guitarists that young up-and-coming axe men hope to be compared to. In spite of all the success Lang has had over the years, the consensus has always been that his greatest moments are on stage. Concord Records attempts to catch the magic of a live show with the release of Live At The Ryman on April 20, 2010.

Live At The Ryman opens with “One Person At A Time”, a great blues/rock tune that sounds fantastic in a live setting; danceable rock and roll featuring outstanding axe work. “Bump In The Road” is a strong tune that is buoyed by the vocalists around Lang. Lang sounds great on his own, but his backing vocalists fill out the sound in almost magical ways on this rocker with a disco vibe. Gospel, rock and blues blend into a waltz for the positive vibe of “Turn Around”, a song so anachronistic stylistically that it works better than you might guess. Lang covers Tinsley Ellis’ “A Quitter Never Wins” in fine fashion, although his guitar work sounds more like Stevie Ray Vaughan than anyone else on this tune.

Lang revs it up on the funky “Don’t Stop (For Anything)”, plowing through big testosterone-laden guitar licks in an early 1970’s style and adding some highly soulful vocals into the mix. The gospel influence returns on “Thankful”, mixing with funk and soul on an entertaining but highly repetitive tune. The best performance on the disc might just be the wide-open funk and soul of “I Am”; you might find yourself losing a few minutes as you sink into this one. Lang ends up the show and album with his first hit and signature song, “Lie To Me”, in a five-and-a-half minute version that features the most expansive guitar work on the album.

Jonny Lang and his band show tremendous chemistry on Live At The Ryman, running through eleven complex and entertaining songs and making it sound like the easiest thing in the world. Lang has blossomed into a consummate performer with a distinctive voice and a guitar style that incorporates subtlety and power in equal and complementary measure. Live At The Ryman captures Lang’s stage presence well, owing to an outstanding performance to capture as well as talented production, engineering and recording staff. If Jonny Lang is new to you, then Live At The Ryman is an essential starting point. If you’ve seen Lang play live, then Live At The Ryman is everything you’d expect or hope it to be.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Jonny Lang at http://www.jonnylang.com/ or www.myspace.com/jonnylang. Live At The Ryman drops on April 20, 2010. Pre-orders are available through Amazon.com, but expect wide availability in multiple formats.

Review: Guitardogs - Dog Years

Guitardogs - Dog Years
2007, House Sound Records

Kintnersville, Pennsylvania’s Guitardogs hit the road in 2007 with one of the most exciting guitar-based classic rock albums of that year, Dog Years. Whether it's Blues, Rock, Country of even 1970's psychedelia, Guitardogs laid it all on the line. The guitar work is definitely the thing here. Songwriting otherwise is fair to average, and the vocals are sufficient throughout. Whether prosecuting Billy Gibbons style Texas Blues/Rock riffs (Long Goodbyes, All She Wrote, One Of Those Days, Paradise); Classic and Prog Rock (Anthem, Red Beans And Rice), lyric ballads (Foolish Pride, You Should Know By Now) or Floydian musical subversion (Suicide on 611), Guitardogs will have all the axe men and ladies out there reaching for their instrument and trying to catch on. The technical aspects of the album are brilliant, and Dog Years harkens back to a time when Rock N Roll was still King, and the guitar was his majesty's mighty scepter.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Guitardogs at http://www.theguitardogs.com/ or www.myspace.com/guitardogs. You can download Dog Years from either Amazon.com or iTunes. Hard copies may still be available directly from the band.

Review: Kris Heaton Blues Band - R-Me Strong

Kris Heaton Blues Band - R-Me Strong
2009, Kris Heaton Blues Band

Connecticut's Kris Heaton has been in and out of the music scene for a number of years, taking a break to raise his family but coming home to the stage in 2002. Since then he's been a wild ride in Southern New England, playing to packed houses and opening for acts such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Greg Allman, Huey Lewis and the News and Leon Russell. Heaton recently released his third album with the Kris Heaton Blue Band, R-Me Strong. Full of aggressive play, humor and pointed commentary, R-Me Strong is a fun listen full of Rock N Roll attitude.

R-Me Strong opens with Sugar, a testosterone-laden ode to a woman set to a Rhythm-n-Blues arrangement that is guaranteed to get your feet moving. Heaton has a voice that's perfect for the style of Blues/Rock he purveys, and the guitar work is hot. I'm Your Man is entertaining and fairly typical of the genre (the verses sound nearly identical to George Thorogood's Bad To The Bone). R-Me Strong is a tribute to all of those who serve in the US Armed Forces. R-Me Strong uses the call-and-response cadence common in old Blues tunes and military outfits in an arrangement that smacks of AC/DC. Shut Up is the most humorous song on the album, taking off after gossips with brutal alacrity.

And She Said is a joyous bit of innuendo where the guitar and harmonica get most of the good parts and generally rip up the dance floor. This tune is highly catchy; full of innuendo and intention. On Weatherman, Heaton takes on that guy who's so full of his ability to attract women he begins to think of himself as god-like. Heaton cuts him down to size to guitar work vaguely reminiscent of ZZ Top. Kris Heaton Blues Band almost seems to get a bit complacent thereafter, as the energy level generally falls for a while. Loser tries to recover the ship with a high energy level tightly twined into a mellow, melancholy performance. Heaton treats listeners to a wonderful live version of Long Time Ago. The sound quality of the recording itself is fine, although the song isn't mastered at anywhere near the same level as the rest of the album. Heaton closes out with When Men Cry, a song that underscores what's in your heart over what you do, what you make, etc. It's a pleasant ballad; a definite change of pace for Heaton.

R-Me Strong is a great way to get to know the Kris Heaton Blues Band if you don't know them already. Not every song works as well as the rest, but Heaton has high expectation and his band delivers. R-Me Strong deserves some attention.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about the Kris Heaton Blues Band at http://www.krisheatonbluesband.com/ or www.myspace.com/krisheatonbluesband. You can purchase R-Me Strong as either a CD or Download from CDBaby.com.

Review: Arc Angels - Living In A Dream

Arc Angels - Living In A Dream
2009, Visions

Arc Angels are a Blues/Rock super group of sorts, consisting of Doyle Bramhall II (guitar/vox); Charlie Sexton (guitar/vox); Marc Campbell (Arc Master); Chris Layton (drums) and Mark Newmark (bass). Newmark is a new addition to the band in 2009, replacing original bassist Tommy Shannon. Layton and Shannon were members of Stevie Ray Vaughan's Double Trouble until his untimely death, and have also recorded with Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, John Mayer and Storyville. Bramhall has played with Eric Clapton and Roger Waters, while Sexton has toured with Bob Dylan. The band short-circuited in 1999 due to Bramhall’s substance abuse, but has reunited for shows periodically since 2002. In 2009, Arc Angels decided to give it a try once again. The resulting CD, Living In A Dream, is a live recording that captures the intensity and talent of a band that never really got a chance to find what they were made of the first time around. Living In A Dream is a three-disc set. Disc one is the live CD; Disc two is 4-track EP featuring three new studio tracks and one live track from Antone's. The other disc is a DVD videos, live cuts and other material.

Arc Angels survive in the Diaspora between Southern Rock, Blues and Americana, and Living In A Dream captures that zeitgeist perfectly. Arc Angels open with Paradise Cafe, a delicious bit of Southern Rock that sounds like a catchy, danceable Bob Seger tune. Carry Me On is a decent power-ballad that's a bit on the bland side but otherwise well done. My favorite song on the disc, The Famous Jane, explores the life of a Hollywood starlet (possibly Jane Seymour?) in fairly real-life terms. It's an incredibly mature and thoughtful biography in song. Good Time is top-flight Blues-Rock with an amazingly soulful vocal. She powerful Blues influence carries over to She's Alright, although the extended guitar jam is a bit much.

My other favorite from the live disc is Sent By Angels, which features a strong, memorable chorus and outstanding guitar work. Crave And Wonder finds Arc Angels stepping back a bit in a mildly catchy Americana/Rock arrangement. It's a good listen and a strong change of pace. Shape I'm In features some of the best guitar work on the album in a high energy tune you won't be able to get out of your head. Living In A Dream sounds a bit like The Black Crowes, leading into the final track, a ten-minute instrumental called Too Many Ways To Fall. No one will dispute the talents of the respective members of the band, but this one lasts perhaps five minutes too long.

The bonus CD includes three new tracks and a live version of Spanish Moon recorded at Antone's). Spanish Moon is a bit drawn out but a great song. Crave And Wonder is presented here as a studio track, actually surpassing the live version on Disc One. What I'm Looking For is a dark and moody mid-tempo rocker that's decent but not their best. Too Many People is a pleasant surprise, featuring a Beatles-esque chorus that should be an instant crowd favorite and inspire sing-a-longs from the seats.

Arc Angels still have the energy and sound that made them a critical favorite back in 1992. It's a shame that it's taken so long, but the Arc Angels are back. Living In A Dream is a wonderfully balanced and enjoyable listen, and the new tracks give fans big hopes for what might be coming down the line. Living In A Dream is a definite keeper.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Arc Angels at http://www.arcangelsmusic.com/ or www.myspace.com/arcangelsmusic. You can purchase Living In A Dream online from Double Stereo.

Review: Truckers Tracks Vol. 2: Hard Times

Truckers Tracks Vol. 2: Hard Times
2009, Straight Up Sound

Straight Up Sound returns with their second compilation dedicated to the Kings and Queens of the road. Truckers Tracks Vol. 2: Hard Times picks up where Vol. 1 left off, moving more heavily into Blues/Rock territory. Johnny Neel returns for the second collection, along with artists Russell Gulley, Joe Tackett, Adam Jones, Chris Anderson and The Levees, among others.

Hard Times opens with The Levees on Hard Times, a grinding Southern Rock number with roots in The Blues. Its ZZ Top meets Stevie Ray Vaughan in three-and-a-half minutes of danceable rock you're sure to enjoy. Johnny Neel brings his backwoods bombast on Long Haul, a gritty truck-driving anthem that sounds like Joe Walsh is sitting in on guitar. Russell Gulley kicks in an inspired performance on Greenwood Mississippi, stripping things down to himself, an acoustic guitar and harmonica. There's real poetry in this song, and the rustic arrangement is a perfect fit. Joe Tackett goes Honky-Tonk on Lucky In Kentucky, a gentle warning about the dangers of canoodling in the Bluegrass State.

Johnny Neel returns on the soulful Love To Burn, sounding a bit like RL Burnside with a gospel choir and a Blues flavored jam you won't forget. Doodle is pure Rhythm N Blues and my personal favorite on the disc. Adam Jones has himself a winner in this track certain to be a concert favorite. Chris Anderson shows off some wonderful blues guitar chops on Driving Out Of The Blues, although the song itself wasn't particularly memorable. Russell Gulley re-appears with Peace Of Good Earth, another acoustic and sparsely arranged song that is pure old South. Hard Times closes with Darius Radd on the bland Angels Coming Home. It's a decent enough song but not really a fitting coda for what's come before.

Truckers Tracks Vol. 2: Hard Times stays well with the intent of the Truckers Tracks compilations without sounding derivative. In fact, there's heavier blues-flavored material here than on Volume 1. Highlights are Russell Gulley (in general) and Joe Tackett's Lucky In Kentucky. Johnny Neel delivers strong performances as expected and Adam Jones shines bright. The sudden switch in flavor for the last track doesn't kill the album, but certainly isn't a great way to close off what is, up until then, a highly dynamic and energetic album. Overall it's a positive experience.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

To learn more about the Truckers Tracks compilations and the artists involved, visit http://www.truckerstracks.com/. You can also check out our review of Trucker Tracks (Vol. 1) here. You can order Truckers Tracks Vol. 2: Hard Times as either a CD or download through CDBaby.com.

Review: Shaky Foot - Down On The Rain

Shaky Foot - Down On The Rain
2009, Shaky Foot

Everyone's been in a relationship that seemed like it should be right but the timing was all wrong. That's the story of Shaky Foot in a nutshell. Formed by Jason Scolnick (Lead vox, guitar) and Bob Gobron (bass, vocals) in the early 1990's, Shaky Foot fell apart after showing real promise. Reforming in 2006, Shaky Foot found a new drummer in Charlie Silva, and has gone on to become one of the most sought-after bands in the Boston Music Scene. Shaky Foot's newest disc, Down On The Rain features thirteen (13) tracks of blues-based rock that will be appreciated by fans of bands such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, to say the least.

Down On The Rain opens with Goodbye Mrs. Rose, featuring some excellent vocal harmonies and a dirty, driven blues feel you simply can't ignore. Bust It Out High is a bit more mundane than the title might lead you to believe but is still a good track. Down On The Rain is a deep and powerful song about seeing rays of hope even in your darkest moments. In this case the protagonist is a drug addict who has a moment of clarity and sees that things will be alright. The guitar work here is fabulous. Shaky Foot trod down a path frequented by The Beatles on In The Middle, blending in the occasional Jazz garish. This might have been the most enjoyable song on the disc if it weren't for the mixing which turns it into a messy but still listenable tune.

She's My Lady is a great listen perfect for last calls. The Blues/Rock arrangement here has perfect pop sensibilities, leading into the Led Zeppelin influenced Beat You To The Punch. Preacher Man is probably the best-written track on the CD, done in a slow build to an over-the-top climax that's probably even better live. Wake Up features the most interesting guitar work on the disc, particularly the opening riffs. You'll also want to make some time for Worried Mind, Young Jack and Zoom Baba Loom.

Listening to Shaky Foot makes me want to find a gig of theirs in a dark bar on a Saturday night with a few friends. The music here is pretty dynamic and enjoyable; Down On The Rain should really be experienced live. What sounds fun on CD would be a joyous cacophony of musical noise in a live environment. Shaky Foot is worth spending a little time with.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Shaky Foot at http://www.shakyfoot.com/ or www.myspace.com/shakyfoot. You can purchase a copy of Down On The Rain on CD or as a download at www.cdbaby.com/cd/shakyfoot2.

Review: Nick Daugherty - Movin' Higher

Nick Daugherty – Movin’ Higher
2009, Skyrocket Records

Los Angeles singer/songwriter Nick Daugherty is a former military officer with a penchant for deep lyrics and soulful arrangements. Among the upper echelon of performers on the L.A. music scene, Daugherty sets his sights on bigger things in 2009 with the release of his debut album, Movin’ Higher. Produced by Mandi Martin (Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Oleta Adams, Amy Kuney), Movin’ Higher finds Daugherty throwing his heart and soul into every single track. It’s no surprise considering his list of influences, which include Sting, Billy Joel, Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Dave Matthews, Paul Simon and Derek Webb (Caedmon’s Call).

Daugherty opens with Movin' Higher, the title track, a mix of Americana, Blues and good old-fashioned pop music. The song is highly melodic with soulful backing vocals and a whole lot going on between the staves. Daugherty breaks into some easy flowing R&B on Out Of My League, a Delilah-worthy tune if ever there was one. Sick Day has a Barry Manilow does R&B feel to it that's pleasant to listen to although a bit odd in retrospect. The music here is generally in the Easy Listening/Adult Contemporary category, and works so well because Daugherty's voice is so pleasant and unimposing. Daugherty hits serious mix-tape territory with A Thousand Times Tonight, a sweet "falling in love" song that is sure to melt some hearts.

Staring At The Sun is a song about getting in lost in your own social scene, it's a high energy though slightly muted rock song with a high commercial ceiling. This sounds like movie soundtrack material for a teen comedy; don't be surprised if a bunch of artists pick this up as a cover tune. Daugherty steps back from the precipice of Rock N Roll with a jazz-flavored, Manilow-style ballad in Jamie. The songwriting here is exquisite, with Daugherty showing a lyrical finesse that is uncommon. This is another tune that sounds like licensing is in its future. The same lyrical acuity is noted on I Won't Stand For Watching You Fall Down. This song also hits on some mix-tape magic, but does skate dangerously close to the edge of cliché at times. The album closes out with Something More and Please Come Back Home. The latter is a love song written in a Blues and Gospel Rock format that's highly appealing to the ear.

Nick Daugherty writes Rock N Roll with some Blues, Gospel and R&B flavoring, depending on the mood of the song. Comparisons to folks like Barry Manilow, Marc Cohn and Joshua Kadison are inevitable. Daugherty's voice is a great sounding every man's voice; easy on the ears and with enough energy and heartfelt emotion to get listeners to buy into his songs. As a songwriter Daugherty is outstanding, possessing a talent for crafting lyrics that convey meaning without sounding trite. The material on Movin' Higher has a definite reading on the Schmaltz scale, but so what? When it's done well in the context of great songs, schmaltz is just another form of showmanship. Daugherty proves that showmanship is definitely a talent he possesses, and Movin' Higher is a great introduction who should be making music for many years to come.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)
You can learn more about Nick Daugherty at www.myspace.com/nickdaugherty or http://www.nickdaugherty.com/. You can purchase a copy of Movin’ Higher at Amazon.com, or download the album from iTunes.

Review: Bryan Clark - Gossip, Inspiration & Slander

Bryan Clark - Gossip, Inspiration & Slander
2008, Rainfeather Records

Bryan Clark is a true Renaissance man; a self-motivated, self-governed life-long learner and lover of music. With a Masters and Ph.D. in music, the singer/songwriter/arranger/session player and college professor seeks to understand himself and then the world through his music. Three highly successful bluegrass tribute albums with his band Honeywagon helped him learn the Bluegrass form (Sympathy for Bluegrass - A Tribute To The Rolling Stones; Grass Stains and Green Day, Bluegrass). Tiring of L.A., Clark relocated to Nashville, where he has released five successful and groundbreaking solo albums. Not one for the politics of Nashville or the traditional bent of Bluegrass, Clark works to bend genres and create new sounds from old. His latest album, the double-disc set Gossip, Inspiration & Slander, features an acoustic disc and an electric disc. With three songs shared between the two discs, listeners get a chance to hear the musical development of the creative process, but also get to hear the breadth and depth of Clark's stylistic range and talent. Clark's music has been featured on shows such as America's Next Top Model and Project Runway, as well as on networks such as VH1, FOX, ESPN and Oxygen.

The acoustic disc opens with Angelyne and a gorgeous, old-time country/bluegrass sound. Clark has a heart throb voice and the harmonies that surround him here just build an amazing aural canvas. The second track, Midnight Kisses is pure gold. The song has a great country sound with distinct pop sensibilities and a killer acoustic arrangement. The musicianship here is amazing. It’s one of those songs that stick in your head from the first time you hear it; you won’t be able to help yourself from singing/tapping along. Nights Like These is great pop country, but would benefit from an electric arrangement. Kiss The Bride is a bit of classic songwriting; a song about addiction and the choices people make. There is an implied inevitability to the song that is artfully told. For Predictions Of You, Clark explores a long distance relationship posthumously from the perspective of a man who can’t let go. The song walks the line between sweet and vaguely disturbing as the protagonist’s devotion becomes clear. The acoustic disc also features some fine instrumental work on Blackberry Blossom, Dom On The Saddlehorn, Midnight And The Harvest Moon and Bill Cheatum.

The electric disc gives a picture of the more commercial side of Clark, as well as an interesting stylistic tendency toward Texas Red Dirt Country. Two songs reminded me distinctly of Lyle Lovett in writing style. Bumper To Bumper sounds like it could be a Lovett outtake, mixing in the same wry wit Lovett is known for. Don’t Blame Me gets into some Texas-style acoustic blues, with song craft reminiscent of Lovett. This is the best song on both discs overall. That aside, I didn’t enjoy the electric disc quite as much as the acoustic. The sound here is solid and has strong commercial legs, but the musicianship on the acoustic disc is difficult to equal, much less top. The electric Angelyne just doesn’t live up to the acoustic version, and Midnight Kisses has a slick sound that will play well to Country radio, but loses a bit in the translation to electric instruments. Be sure also to check out The Way It Is, Nights Like These and All That Really Matters.

Bryan Clark is the real deal, a hard core country singer/songwriter with deep Texas roots who can play the commercial game but rights significant songs. Gossip, Inspiration & Slander is a classic, although I would recommend the acoustic disc first and foremost. Clark is an inestimable talent and this album could make him a superstar with the right breaks. Here’s hoping it happens. We need more Bryan Clark.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Bryan Clark at http://www.bryanclarkmusic.com/. You can purchase a copy of Gossip, Inspiration and Slander at CDBaby.

Review: Harlan Flo - Wheels Of Time

Harlan Flo - Wheels Of Time
2008, Fuzz Junker Records

Harlan Flo is a dose of down and dirty blues with a classic rock feel, a modern rock edge and some of the hottest vocal harmonies going. The Chicago sextet features Berklee College of Music grad Patrick Dugan on lead vocals and guitar. Their debut album, Wheels Of Time, is a blast from the past with some present day twists. The guitar work is righteous and the arrangements will appeal to fans of 1970's electric blues.

Wheels Of Time opens with Battle Cry, a musical wolf in sheep's clothing. The first half of the song sounds like your prototypical 1970's blues/rock hybrid, but then you get to the searing duo guitar solos. The song rocks like nobody's business and the vocal trio of Amanda Riva, Sophia Hall and Jenna Liddle provide some of the hottest vocal support east of the Mississippi. Livin' is built around a clean blues sound and features a pretty funky/flighty bridge you need to check out. Dave Ross shows off some hot keyboard work here. Somethin' In The Night is pure roadhouse blues, while Groove Mood might just be the hottest tune on the album. Porcelain Flower is an obscure and gentle ballad built on harmonics and unusual progressions. This one will be an interesting study for the guitar players out there. Other highlights include El Chupacabra, Heard The News, and Wheels Of Time, with some of the hardest hooks on the album.

Harlan Flo mixes their blues bass with a strong melodic sense, great harmonies and some wicked guitar play. Wheels Of Time is definitely worth a listen or three, but you may not be able to stop there.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Harlan Flo at http://www.harlanflo.com/ or www.myspace.com/harlanflo. You can purchase Wheels Of Time at www.cdbaby.com/cd/harlanflo.

Review: Jim Allchin - Enigma

Jim Allchin - Enigma
2009, Sandy Key Music

If it weren't for a serious illness you might never have heard of Jim Allchin unless you were a true techno-geek. Allchin helped run the Platforms & Services Division of Microsoft until retiring in 2007. Allchin was recognized by none other than Bill Gates as "a brilliant technologist, visionary and a strong leader". Staring mortality in the eye, Allchin didn't flinch. Like so many great achievers facing adversity he simply re-prioritized his life and moved forward. A trip to Montenegro and Croatia turned Allchin on to the pop music of that region, and the passion for music he'd experienced the first time he listened to Jimi Hendrix as a youth, and soon he was playing and writing up a storm. Recording almost exclusively on his own, Allchin went on to create Enigma, his 12-song debut album that was just released on March 17th.

Jim Allchin kicks off Enigma with Enigma Machine, a stylistic and driven guitar instrumental that is a musical throwing down of the gauntlets to the listener. You are hereby noted that this isn't just a vanity project, but a serious effort at musical creation that is going to challenge you. Allchin doesn't have the greatest singing voice, but he uses its best effect on Enigma. Take A Chance On Love is an easy-feeling pop song that's a great prologue for I'm About To Fall. I'm About To Fall is a sleepy and succinct tune about the inevitability of love. Let's Play is a true highlight. Allchin makes the most of a song that could be a true pop hit in the right hands.
Allchin takes us to the islands on She's In Love With Me, a peppy and danceable pop song with real legs to it. I was particularly impressed with I'm Your Man. Allchin serves up some deliciously lyric guitar work here, embellished with vocal harmonies built in classic rock triads. I'm Your Man is a sonic treat. The true standout of Enigma is the Roadhouse Rock N Blues of Rockin' Chair. Allchin stays with the Blues on the Stevie Ray Vaughan styled Killer Shuffle. The album closes out back in the roadhouse with Kick It, an agressive Southern Rock/Blues hybrid that allows Allchin to show off stylistically on his way out the door.

Alright, I'll admit it, I was a bit cynical when this one first came across my desk. Celebrities, politicians, athletes and captains of industry all want to be musicians, and most have the resources to do it even if no one's listening. There are some out there with real talent, but these are few and far between. Jim Allchin is already an accomplished guitarist and performer, and a better than average songwriter. I am also convinced that if you listen to this disc and find flaw, when you hear the next one those flaws will be greatly diminished. Allchin is not the sort of man to stand still. He's always reaching and stretching and perfecting whatever he applies to himself. Enigma is a great start, and if his past is any indication, whatever comes next will be even better by leaps and bounds.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Jim Allchin at http://www.jimallchin.com/. You can purchase a copy of Enigma at www.cdbaby.com/cd/allchin.

Review: David Grissom - 10,000 Feet

David Grissom - 10,000 Feet
2009, Wide Lode Records

David Grissom is something of a legend within the music industry, but the casual music fan won't know his name in spite of hearing him play many times over. As a session and touring guitarist, Grissom has worked with the likes of The Dixie Chicks, John Mellencamp, Joe Ely, Buddy Guy, Storyville and The Allman Brothers. His songs have been recorded by Tricia Yearwood, John Mayall, Montgomery Gentry, Webb Wilder and more. We reviewed Grissom's debut album, Loud Music last year. Now he's back with 10,000 Feet, mixing Stevie Ray Vaughan style blues and AOR rock with good old fashioned Texas songwriting for one of the most accomplished classic rock albums of the year, thus far.

10,000 Feet opens with Keep A-Rollin' On, with Grissom channeling Gary Richrath on guitar in an energetic guitar rocker. 10,000 Feet is a classic song; strong vocals highlight this highly melodic song. Take Me Back To Texas is a love song for that state, and Butterbean Friday is a tribute to the sort of Blues Stevie Ray Vaughan made famous. Good Day For The Blues is bound to be a concert favorite, complete with Bic or iPhone lighting scheme. Three songs in particular stand out from the rest as exceptional. True Love Don't Work That Way is the strongest entry, a driving blues/rock hybrid that you won't be able to get out of your head. Jet Trails In The Sky may be the deepest track here; an allegory for unrequited love that is poetic and reverential. My other favorite is Sqwawk. Built on Blues riffs, Sqwawk is set against a 1970's anti-punk arrangement that is intriguing. This is what it might sound like if Kim Mitchell ever jammed with Eric Clapton.

Grissom is a more than capable vocalist, but his guitar playing is the true standout on 10,000 Feet. This is a highly enjoyable album that just doesn't quit. Grissom hits you with great song after great song without sounding formulaic or tired. 10,000 Feet is a must-hear CD.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about David Grissom at www.myspace.com/davidgrissommusic. You can purchase a copy of 10,000 Feet at www.cdbaby.com/cd/davidgrissom2.

Review: Lee Marvin Band - Flowers To Strangers

Lee Marvin Band - Flowers To Strangers2008, Lee Marvin

Lee Marvin lives and breathes New York City. It's in his blood; in his breath, and it emanates bright and dark in his music. Flowers To Strangers is a soundtrack of and inspired by New York. Infused with styles, sounds and rhythms that both amuse and confound, the album is 100% Lee Marvin and 1000% New York.

The album opens with Flowers To Stangers, a mix of styles including Latin-flavored jazz tune. Marvin himself has an unexpected voice. It’s one I can’t make up my mind entirely whether I enjoy. That’s not saying his voice is bad by any stretch. He handles the songs on Flowers To Strangers very competently. It’s more like meeting someone for the first time and just not hitting it off. Marvin’s vocal style is both too dark and too far back in the throat for my taste, but there will be folks out there who get it. Instrumentally Marvin and band are more than competent. Straws That Bind shows a band at the top of their game, with a lot of little interplay going on back and forth between instruments. Fans of Paul Simon’s 1980s stuff will love this song.

Waltz With The Cold Wind is the highlight of Flowers To Strangers, pulling Stevie Ray Vaughan style blues licks out thin air to illustrate the monsters under the stairs and other fears of childhood. Marvin sticks with the blues feel on Same Sun, which is a prime example of my ambiguous approach to Flowers To Strangers. I love the instrumental work here and really just couldn’t listen to the vocals. Other notable songs here are My Heart, Where Else Would You Be and She Dances On The Ruins.

Lee Marvin is an extremely talented instrumentalist, and he has a top notch band. His voice is enigmatic and perhaps an acquired taste. Flowers To Strangers is a treat from the perspective of composition and performance. I personally didn’t get the vocals, but you might.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about the Lee Marvin Band at www.myspace.com/leemarvinband. You can purchase a copy of Flowers To Strangers at www.cdbaby.com/cd/leemarvin.