Music Reviews

Album: Booker's Guitar / Eric Bibb / Blues Vocals and Guitar

by Mike O'Cull

Guitarist / vocalist / songwriter Eric Bibb, already known as a great talent, moves even further into his own element with his new release, Booker’s Guitar. The album title refers to a chance meeting with a fan in the U.K. following a gig; a fan who actually owns the National guitar that was owned and played by bluesman Booker White, an important early blues player, and the older cousin of B.B. King, who in turn also proved to be an important influence on Eric Bibb. When he recorded the title track, Bibb was able to play Booker White’s guitar and that experience seems to have touched him deeply.

Album: Passage Of Time / Liz Callaway / Jazz Vocals

by Joe Montague

There is something that you ought to know right away about multi-Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Liz Callaway’s new album Passage Of Time; it is fabulous and not only are there not any weak tracks on this record, but each and every song in and of itself gives you enough of a reason to add this CD to your music collection. Callaway, who has appeared for five years as Grizabella in Cats, and also starred in the original casts for Miss Saigon, The Three Musketeers and The Look Of Love, brings her stage presence to this wonderful book of songs, as she collaborates with Alex Rybeck to create spectacular

Album: A Little Happiness / Artist: Aimee Allen / Pop - Rock, with a splash of Reggae

Reviewed by Joe Montague

Aimee Allen belongs to an ever increasing number of artists whose music cannot be categorized or contained or kept in a box, whereas a few years ago those in the music industry might simply have referred to her music as alternative, that term in itself has become a vague and often misapplied label used to describe an artist or band’s music. Let us simply say that Aimee Allen’s music especially that which music fans will hear on her album. A Little Happiness is acoustic guitar, accompanied by her own, very good vocals and that it incorporates elements of pop, rock and reggae.

Album: Uncorked / Al Stewart Live with Dave Nachmanoff / Folk

Reviewed by Mike O'Cull

British singer / songwriter and folk / rock musician Al Stewart is best known for his star turn in the mid 1970’s brought about by his platinum selling albums “Year Of The Cat,” and “Time Passages.” His latest release, Uncorked – Al Stewart Live with Dave Nachmanoff, is a more intimate effort than the music Stewart was recording back in the day and features thirteen of his songs, which were performed live in an acoustic duo format, with lead guitarist and Uncorked producer David Nachmanoff. This is the first live acoustic CD for Stewart since 1992’s Rhymes In Rooms, and this collection is comprised of a totally different set of songs from those found on the.......................

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Album: The Spirit Ranch Sessions / Diana Catharine and The Thrusty Tweeters / Americana - Folk Rock

A funny thing happened on the way to the Kate Voegele concert a couple of weeks ago, one of the opening acts was a terrific group, the Sarah Burton Band and over on the right hand side of the stage playing the harmonica and shakers, was a very good singer by the name of Diana Catharine who was providing background vocals. Well as fate would have it, after Kate Voegele’s gig was over and as I was leaving the music venue, I stopped outside to talk to members of the Sarah Burton Band, and Diana Catharine held out her brand new CD The Spirit Ranch Sessions, and asked me if our magazine would consider reviewing it. I said sure and since it was a long drive home, I popped it into the car’s stereo system. Since that time not too many days have.................

Album: Homecoming / Ellis Marsalis and Eddie Harris / Jazz

by Steve Gedrose

The album Homecoming pairs two jazz musicians who normally would not be thought of as a likely combination, Ellis Marsalis, a pianist, better known for the straight ahead style which he has demonstrated through much of his career as a performer and educator, and Eddie Harris, a tenor saxophonist, who has been a fearless improviser whose jazz palette has been broad. While Ellis has passed his knowledge on to numerous well known students, including Harry Connick Jr. and his sons Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason, Harris has given back to the world of jazz in a distinctly different form, through his experimentation with such

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Album: Scary Fragile / Butterfly Boucher / Pop - Rock

Reviewed by Gabriel Alonso

After reading about Butterfly Boucher’s tumultuous journey through the bowels of the music industry, one can only marvel at how this young woman ever found the strength to push forward. She is certainly a walking testament to how hard work and perseverance can help you achieve anything. Boucher was able to rise above all the unfortunate issues with her label and finally release Scary Fragile on her own imprint earlier this year.

It’s almost impossible to listen to the first few tracks without immediately thinking of some of her Australian contemporaries, namely Missy Higgins and

Album: Stereo Night / Band: The Twilight Hours / Rock

by Gabe Alonso

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When I began researching The Twilight Hours, I naturally went straight to their website. Upon reading their bio to acquaint myself with these gentlemen, I found myself staring at a very tongue-in-cheek (I hope) explanation of just who Twilight Hours is - in the magical, mythical, and philosophical worlds. I learned that this Minneapolis based band is made up of John Munson and Matt Wilson. Their first album Stereo Night is (according to the duo) "a work of towering beauty and sensitivity...a work for the ages!" Let's see shall we?

One of the best parts of Stereo Night, is its efficient use of time and story.