Todd Snider’s new two-disc set is as much about his stage presence as it is about his songs and stories. Snider can be funny, poignant, and sad all in the same song, as he proves on “Greencastle Blues.” He also shines on “The Ballad of the Kingsmen,” where he defends rock and roll, and “America’s [...]
With his new album, Matt Panayides makes a case for being mentioned among the best jazz traditionalists playing guitar these days. Boppers like “Seoul Soul” show how he easily navigates complex changes while soloing. His accomplice is saxophonist Rich Perry, and Panayides lays down the perfect layer of changes for Perry to do his thing. [...]
Rock and roll doesn’t get much grittier than Hill Country Revue, the band started by North Mississippi Allstars member Cody Dickinson. The group is Dickinson and Kirk Smithhart on guitars, Daniel Robert Coburn on vocals, and Doc Samba on bass. And with Zebra Ranch, they’ve made a record with tons of Southernrock attitude. That’s obvious [...]
Bruce Brown, whose day job is filling the guitar chair for Charlie Daniels, offers up an eclectic mix of music on his new solo disc, Off the Edge. Immediately impressive is the taste and patience with which Brown plays. He’s not in your face with solos, as the melody of soul tunes like “Trap Jaw” [...]
Triple Play is a trio record, with Russell Malone’s guitar being the only harmonic instrument. Many guitarists would shy from the challenge of keeping the harmony and melody while soloing. It’s not a problem for the very capable Malone. David Wong (bass) and Montez Coleman (drums) lend perfect accompaniment for Malone, effortlessly backing him through [...]
There’s a whole new generation of jazz guitarists very conversant in the traditional language of the form, but with their own other influences. Jonathan Kreisberg is at the top of that list. On Shadowless, cuts like “Twenty One” are the perfect intro to this adventurous player. Its opening statement by Kreisberg and Will Vinson (on [...]
Popa Chubby is usually described as a blues guitarist, but he’s actually a damn good rock and roll guitarist. This set starts with a couple of songs that are autobiographical in nature and describe how Popa (nee Ted Horowitz) became a musician. “Daddy Played the Guitar and Mama Was a Disco Queen” and “How’d a [...]
Tennessee’s Bill Mize is a solo acoustic guitarist who, though he possesses great chops, never lets his fingers get in the way of a great song. Mize wrote eight of the 10 tracks on his latest album, The Angel’s Share, and all are loaded with memorable melodies and feel – not just great guitar playing. [...]
It’s been more than a decade since Robbie Robertson has issued a solo record, and closer to two since he offered a pop/rock disc. How to Become Clairvoyant is unique in the Robertson catalog in that it deals with new topics. “When the Night Was Young” is a soulful tale about The Band when it [...]
Eric Bibb’s last few studio efforts have proven he can deliver the goods when it comes to folk, blues, and soul music. And with Troubadour Live, we get a feel for his stage presence and versatility; all but one of the live cuts here also feature veteran Swedish guitarist Staffan Astner, and it’s obvious they [...]
