Water Callers SPRINGBOARD 2008 The Water Callers 796873079587 *** Acoustic old-timey vocal harmony duo Durham, North Carolina-based Jason Fagg and Bart Mathews make up the Water Callers who mix folk, gospel, bluegrass, elements of jazz and old-timey sounds, using their voices as the principal instruments. SPRINGBOARD is definitely a grower, as the superb harmonisation takes you on a journey through […]

Todd Burge My Lost & Found Buni Jam ***1/2 An aspiring singer-songwriter with a wonderful creative energy Featuring such stellar musicians as Kenny Malone, Dennis Crouch, Dan Dugmore and Dirk Powell, alongside multi-instrumentalist Tim O’Brien, the expectation of this album by West-Virginian singer-songwriter Burge was always going to be higher than with most new releases. Though a master at creating […]

The Bittersweets Goodnight, San Francisco Compass Records **** A touching and rare release, captivating in all ways Nashville based alt. Folk trio release their second full-length studio album, oozing with provocative lyrical content, creative flair and instrumental talents. Is Anyone Safe? Is an astounding track and draws upon the trials and tribulations of today’s world and asks the simple question […]

Stayton Bonner Cadillac Road Blue Trout Records ***1/2 As fresh as morning dew, and sharp as a needle singer-songwriter travelogue Rich in reflective muse, observations of life and how memories of yesterday and the simple things in life, old book stores, barrooms and a road trip—by way of Going New Mexico—leave lasting images in one’s mind. East Texas-raised, Stayton Bonner has […]

Various The History Of Rhythm And Blues Part One 1925-1942 Rhythm & Blues Records RANDB001 *** A treasure trove of roots blues, gospel and country blues. Four CDs and with a massive 97 tracks, the listener is spoilt for choice and styles of the blues as the artists range from Robert Johnson to Skip James by way of the gospel […]

Paul Williams & the Victory Trio What A Journey Rebel Records REB-CD-1830 ***1/2 Traditional bluegrass gospel delivered with a dash and verve Rich in commendable textures, Paul Williams —formerly of the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers and Jimmy Martin’s Sunny Mountain Boys—is joined by his band, the Victory Trio on this his eighth album on Rebel. Aided by Dave Moneyhun, Adam Winstead, […]

Paul Marks And The Van Dorens Blood And Treasure Radiation Records RDTN 5901 **** Seventh album in from Texan soul-blues troubadour There’s a slew of treats for the unsuspecting here, Tex-Mex a la Los Lobos, cajunista and N’Orleans soul that leaves Van Morrison out to pasture in the wannabe field deserving a drubbing in the bull-pen and there’s more white-boy […]

Nina Simone To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story Sony/BMG 88697 381 922 * * * * Imaginative box set collection of both classic and unreleased material from legendary singer If there has been a more versatile black female singer than Nina Simone, I certainly haven’t heard her. Jazz, blues, pop, rock, folk, show tunes, world music – you name […]

Nathalie Nahai Fortune Teller Fuzzy Muskrat Records 796873010498 **** Nathalie Nahai’s latest offering FORTUNETELLER is an album full of raw, emotional songs with Nathalie’s vocals stripped bair. This is a magical and charming collection of songs all written by Nathalie. An album full of honesty and openness. Nathalie’s music doesn’t fit into any one category. Her songs mix a […]

Lani Nash I’m Only Here For The Music 893931002010 *** A gorgeous voice hung on a selection of average songs Put all the ingredients of country into a big bowl. A touch of ill-defined heartbreak, some bar-room sass, dipthongised vowels and a large dose of regret. Hey presto, country soufflé. But it is a really good soufflé. Even if you […]