GuideReviews Index - page 3
Danielle Howle - Thank You, Mark
Danielle Howle has a big, big voice, and [i]Thank You, Mark[/i] is full of sad, sad songs. Compared to her previous albums - which have either been absolutely folky or a little more southern-rocky - [i]Thank You[/i] is a bit of a departure for this great songwriter.
Sail Away: The Songs of Randy Newman
David Wild states in the liner notes, "If you are reading these words and you write songs, know this much right upfront: you are not as good as Randy Newman." Considering the songwriters included on this record: Bela Fleck, Tim O'Brien, Sam Bush, Steve Earle, Del McCoury, and Sonny Landreth, to name a few, it may be safe to say Wild isn't alone with that sentiment.
Rhonda Vincent - All American Bluegrass Girl
From the very beginning of [i]All American Bluegrass Girl[/i], Rhonda Vincent isn't wasting any time stating her purpose. She came to sing about God and America, and she ain't gonna stop ‘til she gets it all out.
José González - Veneer
The Argentinian Swede is raising eyebrows and invigorating the 00's folk revival further with his international debut.
Allison Moorer - Getting Somewhere
There are a few slow spots on Allison Moorer's latest record, but, for the most part, it's a completely harmless alt.country-pop record – by which I mean it's too alternative to sound like Shania, but too poppy to be comparable with Earle's own work.
Slaid Cleaves - Unsung
Slaid Cleaves is an incredible songwriter in his own right, so the fact that he decided to sing a bunch of other people's songs could make his devout fans a little nervous. But there's no need to be nervous – it's an outstanding record.
Neil Young - Living With War
No doubt, Young will get a lot of flak for this record. After all, he's a Canadian citizen bashing American policy; but he's not alone. In this year of protest albums (Ben Harper's latest record, Bruce Springsteen's tribute to Pete Seeger, Ani DiFranco's forthcoming post-Katrina musical commentary, etc.), Young proves that he's just adding his voice to the choir.
Jeffrey Foucault - Ghost Repeater
On [i]Ghost Repeater[/i], with Bo Ramsey producing and Kris Delmhorst on backing vocals, among other great players, Foucault leaves his listeners with no room to complain.
Johnny Cash - American V: A Hundred Highways
It's always a little creepy when artists manage to release records from beyond the grave. But in the case of Johnny Cash's latest, [i]America V: A Hundred Highways[/i] (American, 2006), the eeriness is rooted much deeper. The songs producer Rick Rubin chose to include here span from depressingly sad to sadly hopeful, and beyond – to just plain heartbroken.
Tim O'Reagan (self-titled)
At times O'Reagan's originals can sound a little bit like Dan Bern's rockier side. At other times ("Girl/World"), there's an obvious Beatles influence.
Ramblin' Jack Elliot - I Stand Alone
Thank God for Ramblin’ Jack. In a time when everyone and their brother seems interested in calling themselves a folksinger, here comes the old vagabond storyteller with an album of honest-to-goodness traditional gems … and even one song he wrote himself.
Jesse DeNatale - Soul Parade
Jesse DeNatale is one of the best songwriters you've probably never heard of. His songs bring to mind all the other great songwriters you have heard of, like Randy Newman, Ray Charles, and Bob Dylan. His lyrics are so simple and poetic, you might think of Paul McCartney and John Lennon. And his melodies will haunt you for hours – in a good way, of course.
Kaki King - Until We Felt Red
Kaki King is a great guitar player. She has a natural sense of innovaive sound techniques, and, once again, she puts them to use on [i]Until We Felt Red[/i] (Velour).
Tim O'Brien - Cornbread Nation
Some of the most well-arranged versions of traditional American Old Time and Bluegrass tunes, as well as some of O'Brien's excellent originals.
Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome (The Seeger Sessions)
Bruce Springsteen was right on target with not trying too hard to make this record polished. As a result, it comes off as a rather impromptu affair - something folk music is known for adoring. Still, hard core folkies and true blue Pete Seeger fans may be a little disappointed.
Tim O'Brien - Fiddler's Green
Released in tandem with "Cornbread Nation," Tim O'Brien's "Fiddler's Green" is decidedly more Bluegrass-influenced, with fabulous renditions of traditional Folk and Celtic Bluegrass tunes.
Ray LaMontagne - Till The Sun Turns Black
Ray LaMontagne writes the kinds of songs that just make you feel like every next line will be dripping with meaning. Luckily, on [i]Till The Sun Turns Black[/i], he delivers time and time again. From the cool cascading breeze that sweeps in with the opening song, "Be Here Now," to the album's close, "Within You," LaMontagne suspends his listeners with calm, easy melodies.
Mark Erelli - Hope and Other Casualties
If you have $10 to spend on Mark Erelli, you may be more pleased by spending it on a ticket to his live show. Especially after seeing him live, you might really want to like his lates effort, but unfortunately, [i]Hope and Other Casualties[/i] will likely leave you feeling at least a little disappointed.
Kelly Joe Phelps - Tunesmith Retrofit
If it's possible to not love Kelly Joe Phelps' songs, I'd love to hear an explanation. This man can write, and he's proven this fact time and time again on all of his eight cds. His newest, [i]Tunesmith Retrofit[/i] brings to mind pretty much every other great contemporary singer/songwriter, but only in the sense that the songs are, well, great.
Catie Curtis - Long Night Moon
Catie Curtis has a very, very sad voice. When she sings, her lyrics can't help but be filled with longing and regret, even when she's singing what would appear to be a happy tune; and you can't help but want to listen. On her latest effort, [i]Long Night Moon[/i] (Compass, 2006), Curtis continues with more great songs from the darkest reaches of her heart.
Chris Thile - How to Grow a Woman From the Ground
The album kicks off with a backwoods instrumental, and quickly moves further through Thile's bluegrass roots. From there, he drives his listeners down a long, fast country road, past characters that alternately rock, cry, and hoe-down.
The Duhks - Migrations
The Duhks are so much fun to see live. Their energy and dynamic presence are undeniably captivating. Their musicianship is equally as incredible, as is their cohesion as a band. On their latest album, [i]Migrations[/i], they explore traditional and contemporary folk music, including covers and originals alike.
Shawn Colvin - These Four Walls
Shawn Colvin is another one of those artists who has the saddest, sweetest voice. When she starts to sing, "Fill me up, cause you're all that I've got and I traveled a long long way," you just feel it in your gut. Her latest album, [i]These Four Walls[/i] is full of more of those great heartbreaking tunes.
Solomon Burke - Nashville
Solomon Burke's Web site URL is thekingsolomonburke.com, which is absolutely appropriate. Burke's career doesn't just span decades, it spans generations. Like this album's namesake, Nashville, Burke's craft spans genre lines and speaks to musicians, songwriters, and fans of blues, rock, country and contemporary folk. Most prevalent on the album, though, is a high-clapping amalgam of folk-blues and gospel.
Amos Lee - Supply and Demand
Amos Lee is guided strongly by soul and gospel on his latest effort, [i]Supply and Demand[/i], Lee opens up with a gospel-pop number, and the first single from the record, "Shout Out Loud."