Ashley Jordan offers strong third album Nothing In Doubt; shows true potential
Ashley Jordan’s sophomore effort Nothing In Doubt is a strong follow up to her 2011 debut CD Liquid Words. Jordan’s new work has some sharper sounds with edgier electric guitars and more aggressive drumming. She’s still squarely in the singer-songwriter category. Yet, this time around she’s got more to say about people who’ve done her wrong. I hope for the safety of the boys she’s writing about that Jordan doesn’t have a background in karate or boxing for she will surely beat them to a pulp.
Br1ght Pr1mate continue to make unusual beautiful music on Night Animals CD
Br1ght Pr1mate are onto something big. They are a duo featuring vocalist Lydia Marsala and musician James Therrien who composes and plays music with a Game Boy chip. It’s a very recent musical genre requiring older computers and video game consoles. Therrien’s use of Chip tunes allows him to create a myriad of musical soundscapes that marries pop music to a sound similar to sci fi film scores and sound effects. This is the kind of music you’d hear on the mother ship if you’re ever abducted by aliens. Latest album Night Animals keeps it at once tight and experimental.
B11 serve up fun, interesting instrumental music their own way on self-titled debut album
B11 have just released their self-titled debut album. A professional funk-jazz trio based in Boston, B11 offer original music as well as very unique arrangements of well known standard by recognizable names like Stevie Wonder, Henry Mancini, Lou Donaldson, and Sam Rivers. So, what about B11? Their instrumental music will take you places you never imagined, and likely will never travel to again with any other band. Inventive and skillful, they do things their own way.
Susan Cattaneo lays out grand Americana roots vision on Haunted Heart CD
Susan Cattaneo’s latest Americana roots album Haunted Heart is a fulsome visionary work. Catteneo offers several human dramas in her lyrics while serving up her smooth timbre in a variety of crisp, roots musical settings. She sprawls her authentic beauty over naturalistic sounds capes conjured by pedal steel, lap steel, slide guitar, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer piano, transistor organ, and many other instruments that offer a pristine sound and emotive joy or sorrow.
Ariel Strasser shows uncommonly sophisticated ablility on Crooked Line CD
Ariel Strasser’s first album Crooked Line is a collection of warm piano-driven pop songs that pull you in with her sweet, strong vocals, peppy melodies, and a clarity of sound that lets her voice and piano ring out with pulse and purpose. Strasser can also make her listener feel something significant in each song, and that is a serious sign that there is something special going on with this artist.
Kostas Taslis brings old world charm to Greek Classics II
Kostas Taslis has released a fantastic album of traditional Greek music, Classics II. Strumming his bouzouki and singing in his native Greek language with a handsome low tenor, Taslis proves himself a master performer. Not only does he offer fine nuanced musical and vocal performances, he fills his songs with a lively personality and dramatic warmth.
Lisa Marie & Silvertone Steve offer mighty fine cover songs on Nickel Bag Of Candy album
Lisa Marie & Silverstone Steve have got an acoustic duo act that’s as polished as most four-piece bands. Lisa Marie’s raspy, svelte belts and coos saunter over Silvertone Steve’s crisp, blues-roots, multitude of picking styles like nobody’s business. On their new album of classic cover songs, Nickel Bag Of Candy, the two nail sweetly appealing version of 13 songs by some of the greatest songwriters of our time.
Jamie Lynn Hart showcases commercial potential on Live At Tupelo Music Hall CD
Jamie Lynn Hart has been on the greater-Boston music scene for a few brief years. Her debut CD and video productions have brought her plenty of acclaim for tremendous vocal and songwriting ability. Hart’s latest release, Live At Tupelo Music Hall, is certain to cement her reputation as a solid local artist who puts on […]
Sarah Rabdau & Self-Employed Assassins kick it up several notches on sophomore album Free As Thieves
Sarah Rabdau & Self-Employed Assassins recently dropped their sophomore effort Free As Thieves to much critical acclaim. And rightly so. Free As Thieves is chockfull of fantastic piano and keyboard driven pop-rock gems that tug on the ear while motivating the feet. It’s uncanny how well Rabdau and second keyboardist Peter Moore work together. The […]
Julie Dougherty Band reaches new heights in the Land Of Dreams CD
Julie Dougherty has been a very busy lady of late, dropping two completely different CDs this year. After releasing a solo roots album last summer, Dougherty just released last October this Julie Dougherty Band CD Land Of Dreams. Dougherty has a more folk-rock feeling on this very new Julie Dougherty Band album. She gets more […]
