Gov’t Mule, The Deep End, Vol. 1 (ATO Records)

Josh Rouse, Under Cold Blue Stars (Rykodisc/Slow River)

I’m usually wary of thematic albums. Too often the effort often comes off as pretentious and forced with the narrative taking precedence over the music. Plus, I always feel guilty […]

The Josh Roseman Unit, Cherry (Velour)

It seems that the age of the trombone has indeed arrived. I thought the craze was only a New Orleans phenomenon with the advent of Bonerama and its cousin Mulebone, […]

Mississippi Fred McDowell, The Best of Mississippi Fred McDowell (Arhoolie)

Mississippi Fred McDowell, “I Do Not Play No Rock ‘n’ Roll” (Fuel 2000)

Lightning Hopkins, The Best of Lightning Hopkins (Arhoolie Records)

Alvin Youngblood Hart

In 1996, Alvin Youngblood’s Hart’s Big Mama’s Door gave him the uncomfortable title of acoustic blues savior. Two albums and five years later, Hart has proven that there is much […]

The Campbell Brothers, Sacred Steel on Tour!/Sacred Steel for the Holidays (Arhoolie Records)

The Campbell Brothers Sacred Steel On Tour! (Arhoolie Records) The Campbell Brothers Sacred Steel For the Holidays (Arhoolie Records) Growing up, my church choir definitely didn’t have steel guitars, but […]

Theresa Andersson, David Doucet & John Fohl, Peace Stories (Independent)

Among the glut of annual holiday releases, only a handful actually provide enough warmth and integrity to merit repeated listening. Most of these concept albums are slick, overproduced, commercial attempts […]

North Mississippi Allstars, 51 Phantom (Tone Cool Records)