Warpaint is the first studio album from the Black Crowes in seven years. Back from their self imposed exile, the brothers Robinson are infused with fresh blood in new lead guitarist, Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi All Stars) and new keyboardist Adam MacDougall. Dickinson and Rich Robinson combined guitar attack is particularly impressive, especially during the extended codas of "Oh Josephine" and "Movin' on Down the Line." Many will call Warpaint the Crowes’ darkest album to date, and | Continue reading this entry »

A 17-track collection, The Definitive Buddy Guy spans the blues man’s 50 year career. Guy is joined on the disc by long time cohorts Junior Wells and Pinetop Perkins, as well as The Rolling Stones’ Bill Wyman. Guy shows himself as a consummate master of the Chicago electric blues sound, though if there is one downside of this compilation, it would be that most of the material focuses more on his as a vocalist and less on his prowess on the guitar. The highlight of the disc lies in “A Man | Continue reading this entry »

When talk began to spread of an impending musical collaboration between Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, no one was quite sure what to make of it. Plant, the rock-n-roll icon with an infamous flare for excess during his hey day with Led Zeppelin, and Krauss, the seemingly sweet and angelic leader of bluegrass band Union Station, would seem to have very little in common. Yet, both possess a deep rooted love for Americana music, and the two share a kindred spirit when it came to taking the old and | Continue reading this entry »

Since achieving a massive breakthrough three years ago with their chart topping single “Heaven,” Los Lonely Boys – the Texican trio comprised of brothers Henry, Jo Jo and Ringo Garza - have achieved multi-platinum album sales, a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group in 2005, and widespread acclaim from critics and fans alike. Now, the brothers Garza return with Forgiven, a passionate CD that finds each member of the trio reaching new levels in their playing and singing. | Continue reading this entry »

Sitting down talking to Jerry Joseph is always an interesting experience. For a man that many know simply as the seemingly angry anti-hippie songwriter that got his big break when Widespread Panic started performing his songs, Joseph is actually amazingly subdued, incredibly well rounded, and just about the most intellectual individual one could ever hope to meet. During our most recent interview, which took place as Joseph embarked on his latest tour with drummer Steve Drizos, we discussed the | Continue reading this entry »

When the lineup for BB Ling’s 12th annual Blues Fest was announced, it was readily apparent that this year festival would be much different form those of previous years. This time around, the King of the Blues was being joined by New Orleans groove masters Galactic, as well as one of the world’s foremost authorities of the electric guitar – the one and only Jeff Beck. As usual, BB King headlined the shows. Playing his famous guitar Lucille, King and his 10-piece band moved effortlessly through | Continue reading this entry »

For his own label’s second DVD release, Branford Marsalis captured a complete performance of John Coltrane’s 1964 masterpiece A Love Supreme. Coltrane’s original recording is considered by many to be the consummate moment of his quartet’s career. This legendary suite, which remains Coltrane’s best selling album of all time, was performed by Branford and his quartet during the band’s March 2003 European tour at Amsterdam’s Bimhuis, a club that is regarded as the center for jazz | Continue reading this entry »

Over the past five years, the Dave Holland Big Band has become inarguable the top large ensemble in the world of jazz. While the band bares his name, Holland takes the same non-dictorial approach as his former band leader, the legendary Miles Davis, allowing each member of this 13-piece Grammy winning group the chance shine. The first four tracks on Overtime compose “The Monterey Suite,” a work that was commissioned by the Monterey Jazz Festival and performed at the event in 2001, just a | Continue reading this entry »

When The Band decided to call it quits in 1976, they performed a farewell concert at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom on Thanksgiving evening, inviting friends from across the globe to join them for one Last Waltz. Joined by such musical luminaries as Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Ron Wood and Muddy Waters, the resulting performance was a show for the ages. In 2004, a group of musicians from Atlanta, led by Kris “Jellyroll” Gloer, decided to commemorate the event, inviting | Continue reading this entry »

Joyous Encounter, Joe Lovano’s 17th recording for Blue Note Records, is amongst the most moving and memorable work in the saxophonist’s illustrious career. The disc is actually part two of this celebrated 2004 release I’m All For You, marking the first time in Lovano has ever entered the studio with the same band for two consecutive recordings. The result is an outstanding effort packed with one moving composition after another. Joyous Encounter, features remarkable covers of John Coltrane’s | Continue reading this entry »