Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
Katy Lied
Late Arrival
KLCD01
* * * *
Duncan Hamilton’s band deliver a promising debut; often hitting the mark with hook- laden original songs, tough chiming Californian influenced guitars, mixed with a dash of Northern English sensibility.
Katy Lied are the brainchild of Duncan Hamilton, he has penned all the songs here, often in partnership with Nigel Stonier. Indeed […]
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
Kathleen Boyle
An Caitlin Rua
KTR001CD
*****
Sometimes you want to dance to an accordion with gay abandon and sometimes you want to sit quietly with a cup of coffee and just listen. And that’s where Kathleen Boyle comes in. There’s a big difference between bashing the hell out of an instrument in a wild and carefree way, though […]
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
Jason Allen
The Twilight Zone
Smith Entertainment-SED7104
****1/2
Great rockabilly with a hark back to the 1950s rock ‘n’ roll era
It was no surprise to read that Jason Allen cites singers Dwight Yoakam and Buddy Holly as his favourites, and even more so the legendary Roy Orbison whom he sounds very similar to on a few occasions throughout this […]
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
The Groanbox Boys
Fences Come Down
Groanbox Records-GBR002
* * * *
Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining musical romp.
The Groanbox Boys are Michael Ward-Bergeman (acordion, percussion, vocals) and Cory Seznec (open-backed banjo, harmonica, guitar, vocals). Their music ranges from gypsy to folk (both American and European) as well as drawing on the influences of hillbilly and old-time blues. Both guys […]
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
Gary Fields
Sounds About Right
Aspirion Records Group 0270
www.garyfields.com
*****
A very laid-back album that conjures up images of an affluent dance hall and is best heard on a Sunday morning in the arms of a loved one
Country? This album? I would have to say no. Possibly Americana or even folk? Certainly not. But, before you move onto the […]
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
Gareth Davies-Jones
Water & Light
Heading West. CD. HWM004
****
An extremely pleasant and enjoyable listening experience
It is always a delight to discover a talented new artist, especially when you hear them live for the first time! This is Gareth’s second album and the extra backing on it is an improvement on his debut album ‘Only For A Short […]
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
Fifty Nine South
Fifty Nine South
Cimarron Sound Lab
*1/2
It can prove somewhat frustrating when a CD arrives for review in a thin flat pack which has nothing more than the song titles and the players listed. It is particularly unhelpful when the artist or band concerned is completely unknown and scouring the internet proves fairly fruitless. Some […]
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
Ed Jurdi
Longshores Drive
Red Fez Records-EJ77253
****½
Gordy Quist
Here Comes The Flood
www.gordyquist.com ****
Two great solo albums from a couple of Heathens…The Band Of Heathens that is!
Anyone who has fallen under the spell of the tremendous Band Of Heathens as I have, will be very interested in these two solo projects by a couple of the groups lead singers.
The […]
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
The Crooked Jades
Shining Darkness
Jade Note Music
***1/2
Innovative old time string band music performed with taste and lots of skill
San Francisco-based ensemble Crooked Jades are one of the most enduring of the latest crop of old time music specialists. One reason that would immediately come to mind is because they are so good. A little quirky, undeniably, […]
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
Claude Diamond
On The Loose
Vettset Music VMCD1005
* * *
There’s no doubt that Claude Diamond’s third album, ON THE LOOSE, has its ups and downs. At its best it’s pure magic, however when it dips in form it slips back into the pack and becomes just another album from another good country musician.
The best of Claude Diamond […]
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