Retro CD Review: Cheryl Arena’s Blues Got Me disc still shines after 14 years
It’s been about 14 years since Cheryl Arena released her debut CD Blues Got Me. After all of this time, the disc still serves as a fine document of her abilities and she can still use it as a calling card to get into all kinds of venues. Her songs range from inventive originals clever of arrangements of timeless classics, from basic, assertive guitar driven blues songs to more elaborate horn laden material for big bands. Produced by the legendary Duke Robillard, Arena’s talents on vocals and harmonica manage to standout among her impressive song craft and imaginative arrangements.
Bella’s Bartok impresses doing things their way on Change Yer Life album
Bella’s Bartok’s first full length album Change Yer Life is loaded with this Northampton, Massachusetts band’s trademark party vibe quirk. Incorporating Hungarian folk music, gypsy influences, and other old world elements, Bella’s Bartok makes you feel like you’re at a swinging party at a German dance hall.
Dan and Faith Senie offers charming, winsome folk album Seeking
The Bolton, Massachusetts folk duo Dan Senie and Faith Senie, known professionally as Dan And Faith, have released this winsome folksy album Seeking. Seeking builds each of its 13 songs upon the strong chemistry of this husband and wife duo. When they trade off on lead vocal, they create a sweet, building mystery, something that keeps the listener intrigued with where they are taking their song. When they come together in harmony, they weave the warmest tapestry of voice.
Laura Vecchione reveals immense talent on Love Lead album
Laura Vecchione’s latest album Love Lead grabs hold of the listener’s ears from the first track and never lets go. On fire for 13 songs, this Boston-based singer rocks, struts, and sometimes lulls her listener into a special place in each track.
Boston producer Michael Dinallo helms fine, fun Charlie Rich tribute CD for Memphis International
Boston roots rock guitarist Michael Dinallo recently helmed a special recording project in Memphis for the Memphis International Records label. He produced a collection of Charlie Rich’s songs that were originally recorded by legendary producer Sam Phillips at Memphis’s Sam Phillips Recording studio. Dinallo helms a band in this recording featuring himself on electric and acoustic guitars, Tim Carroll on electric guitar, and greater-Boston rhythm section of Preston Rumbaugh on bass with Tom Hambridge on drums. The CD also includes roots, blues, and country singers from around the country, making this album feel like a true national reflection on this old time singer-songwriter piano player. While many know of Rich from his 1970s AM radio hits, he was one of the pioneers at the time rock, blues, country, and rockabilly were often recorded by the same artists at the same studio.
Jon McAuliffe outdoes himself with exceptionally fine album Old School Moderne
Jon McAuliffe’s latest CD Old School Medicine is certainly medicine for the soul and for the ears. McAuliffe is uncannily adept at translating emotions and humor in a variety of nifty Americana roots styles. He has come up with an album that delights in a full, three dimensional manner with high quality production values and a broad, painterly vision.
Kala Farnham offers beauteous sophomore album Samadhi: Home Is Where You Are
Kala Farnham’s second album Samadhi: How Is Where You Are offers bold musical accomplishments and one of New England’s best voices in one of this year’s best written and best recorded works. A folk artist who incorporates many other roots elements, Farnham coats her gems with her astonishingly good vocal applications. The Connecticut singer-songwriter is also still young enough to take her music to a much higher level in the next few years.
Hilton Park strike solid gold acoustic beauty on Moments
The latest Hilton Park CD, Moments, offers much of the acoustic instrument beauty this Maine-based folk-rock trio has relied on in the past. Their singer-songwriter bent continues to sweep the listener away with the more familiar Hilton Park feeling and vibe, albeit more forlorn and wistful this time around.
Rumblecat standout with impressive debut disc ‘Till The Neighbors Shout
Rumblecat’s debut CD ‘Till The Neighbors Shout is loaded with hard driving, goodtime, soulful music. Delivered with talent and explosive energy, this disc shows why Vermont-based Rumblecat won a New England Music Award for Best In State: Vermont only three years after forming. The group has got their roots rock sound down pat and they know how to spread it around a song with cool vigor.
Sugar Ray And The Bluetones come up with a dandy CD Seeing Is Believing
One can never have too much of a good thing. Sugar Ray And The Bluetones have released another fine blues album, Seeing Is Believing. Brimming with powerful blues in all 12 tracks, this winsome album will be playing in many local stereo systems by the end of this year. Most of these songs are originals, as all the band members are songwriters, and that makes this whole thing feel fresh and personal even though this kind of blues music has been with us for generations.
