Retro CD Reviews: CDs that I wish I had reviewed when they first came out
It’s time to clear my desk of CDs that bands give to me long after they recorded and released them. Because these CDs are still new to people who have not heard them yet, which is often the case with local artists, I think it is well worth our time to take a retrospective look at them.
Charlie Strater hits the emotional bulls eye in each song on his latest CD
Country flavored folk and honky tonk blues mark Charlie Strater’s third CD. Simply titled Charlie Strater, the singer-songwriter, who in previous CDs wrote most of his town racks, made full use of the best known songwriters in his New Hampshire seacoast music scene.
Matthew Stubbs moves on with fantastic sophomore CD Medford & Main
Matthew Stubbs released Medford & Main on Blue Bella Records last month, and that makes this his second solo CD and his first on his second label. It is not clear why Stubbs has moved from Vizztone to Blue Bella, but his sophomore effort is a lot more exciting than his debut, so it is a loss for Vizztone.
Bring Back Pluto Offer Up Prog Rock Fun And Complex Work Outs On Debut CD Underneath
Bring Back Pluto is a progressive rock fusion instrumental trio that has fun when it plays its complex arrangements. Guitarist Mark Jodice, bassist Jerry Wilfong, and drummer Sai Ghose recorded these ten tracks on this CD titled Underneath.
Newcomer Anna Rose could find her way to the top with charming five-songs sampler
It is always a treat to check out an up and coming artist before her name becomes a household word. Singer-songwriter Anna Rose has released a five song E.P. as a teaser to a much larger work. Rose’s voice has a winsome distinct timbre that carries well throughout these story songs.
Steven Paul Perry cruises down rock and roll highway with The Human Condition
Steven Paul Perry has been sitting on this collection of songs for too long. Not enough marketing has been invested in his “The Human Condition” CD. Perry has crafted the 12 songs on this disc to the ultimate level of sonic perfection. He is also a hell of a guitar player, and he has the benefit of being a really cool, funky dude who knows how to have fun and rock out.
The Divine Crime will funktify LA with their new debut CD Obliquity
The Divine Crime are part of a positive new trend in modern reggae and R&B, real instruments laying down the groove and playing melody lines instead of dance tracks and synthesized music. With any luck, The Divine Crime might push off this new revolution all by themselves.
Tom Waits scores big with must-have live album
Tom Waits can never be accused of trying to sound like anyone else in modern music. Waits’ unusual mesh of roots influences and Americana is truly unique.
Norah Jones; Katherine McPhee; Paul McCartney
Holy Makeover. Listening to Norah Jones new CD The Fall makes it hard to believe her previous three releases were jazz albums. Katharine McPhee, the season five American Idol runner up has inexplicably recorded a confident follow up to her debut album. Paul McCartney, Good Evening New York City, a three-disc set that I purchased as a Christmas gift to myself turned out to be my favorite present.
