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10 May 2008 I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world Happy Mother's Day, Mom!! 
Matt and Shannon Heaton combine traditional tunes and lyrics with their own compositions on Blue Skies Above. "I have to confess that this CD did not impress me the first time I heard it. Same old, same old, I thought," says Laurie Thayer. "But repeated listenings have changed my mind. For one thing, it's not precisely the same old. This is a toe-tapping, upbeat, fun collection, just the sort of CD I would recommend if you're having a lousy day." The Pyrates Royale get a double-down bid on Black Jack. "Whatever you're expecting given their origin as a ren faire act, they're extraordinary musicians, and in good pyrate fashion, they're sneaky about it," Laurie Thayer says. "I wish Maryland were closer; I'd love to see the Pyrates Royale in person. Black Jack is part bawdy, part gorgeous and, yes, all rollicking." The bawdy songs don't even pretend to be subtle on The Bird in the Bush: Traditional Songs of Love & Lust, Tom Knapp says. "These simple, sparsely arranged recordings are utterly without artifice or pretense; they are boldly brazen, but never coarse. Rather, blunt puns and metaphors lay bare the true meaning of these songs. They show the plain-spoken delight that has made the saucier side of British folk music a treat for countless generations." T Work o' the Weavers fails to impress Jerome, despite the history of the Weavers that stands behind We're Still Here. "I suppose that for what it is, it's what it is -- which is to say all right, perhaps, to those who still respond happily to this sort of thing," he says. "If that's dim praise, well, none of this is much to my taste, and some of it ... is just plain terrible. Mawkish, too, to the point that maybe for a moment there, you'd almost think, peace, love and understanding are funny." Vancouver guitarist Don Alder dabbles in Acoustic Matters to good effect. "Adler is no ordinary picker; he uses a technique known as finger-style picking," Sherrill Fulghum says. "Acoustic Matters is a collection of interesting and sometimes fun pieces showing off Adler's abilities." The Chambers Brothers are remembered in the re-release of four early landmark recordings: People Get Ready, Now, Shout and Feelin' the Blues. "In all, these albums pretty much sum up the Chambers Brothers' apprentice period, pointing to all of the musical bases they would hit in a long career," says Michael Scott Cain. "If you only know them from their psychedelic period in the late '60s, then getting to know the band in all of its complexity will be a treat." Chris Whitley and Jeff Lang have those Dislocation Blues. "I've heard a little of both Jeff Lang's and Chris Whitley's solo stuff, but this collaboration takes the chequered flag," Dirk Logemann says. "Together they create a raw, visceral and driving sound that remains warm and textured." J Spencer Durham has Much More Than Words to his credit on this freshman bluegrass release. "For a mere 18 years on this planet -- at least this time 'round -- he appears to have amassed a myriad of experience, plus the talent to write it in lyrics and set it to music," Nicky Rossiter says. "His technique contains fragments of many genres, but all are very much taken in hand and made into his own unique sound." Spyro Gyra is Wrapped in a Dream after 30 years of smooth jazz. "The Grammy-nominated Wrapped in a Dream is a collection of 12 tunes that, while slightly more toward progressive or fusion jazz than their usual, is still unmistakably Spyro Gyra," Sherrill Fulghum says. "Like the spiral form of the algae from which they take their name, band members weave their lines in and around each other musically to produce a sound that is distinctly unique." Joe Jewell Quartet believes that Every Note Counts. "The Joe Jewell Quartet, made up of guitarist Jewell, drummer Mile Bennett, Reed Gratz on Fender Rhodes and Baba Elefante on bass, offers on this CD a nice set of very politely played tunes," remarks Michael Scott Cain. "For me, though, the CD, although always pleasant, never rises above the level of skillfully done light jazz. Like a fast food burger, it lacks bite and flavor." Sharham and Hafez Nazeri evoke The Passion of Rumi. "There's no shortage of passion in this musical celebration of the Sufi poet Rumi, but passion doesn't always make for easy listening," notes Jennifer Mo. "Don't get me wrong: the nine tracks on The Passion of Rumi ... are eloquent blends of classical and modern Persian music boasting crisp musicianship and appropriately intense vocals for the transcendent subject matter. For those unfamiliar with Persian vocal stylings, however, Shahram Nazeri's throaty undulations may be as much of an acquired taste as Wagnerian opera." 
Emma Bull explores new Territory with this fantasy novel set in Tombstone, Ariz., in the day when the Earps and Clantons held sway. "She's only produced a few books in her literary career, but I find her writing to be as finely honed as Damascus steel -- with a terrible beauty to match," says Becky Kyle. "There's a mystery woven tightly into this fantasy landscape. Characters are well written and the descriptions literally take you there -- to the point of tasting smoke and dirt when the fire first breaks out. Simon R. Green ponders the Paths Not Taken in the fifth book of Nightside. "Usually, I can't put a Nightside book down," says Becky Kyle. "This time, I couldn't pick it back up." Carrie Vaughn focuses her pen on a radio host in a world not quite our own. "In Kitty Goes to Washington, the second book in the Kitty Norville series, the existence of werewolves and vampires has become public knowledge," Becky explains. "What this volume lacks is the pop that makes you eagerly turn the pages. Vaughn introduces some interesting characters here, but the story doesn't really push you along like the first book did." Monica Furlong continues her young-adult fantasy saga in Colman. "Alas, much of what made the first two books memorable -- the details of spinning and herblore, the relationship between girl and teacher, the understated magic within women's wisdom -- has been replaced by a straightforward plot and uninspired action sequences," says Jennifer Mo. "Magic is reduced to a plot device, and rather than relying upon their wisdom and good sense, characters have a tendency to instinctively sense the right thing to do. The reappearance of old, once-vanquished enemies is almost comically reminiscent of unplanned Hollywood sequels." J.D. Robb (a.k.a. Nora Roberts) continues a long-running suspense series with Strangers In Death. "This book is definitely hard to put down and exceptionally entertaining," Cherise Everhard says. "I am wowed by this series. After so many books it seems it would be hard to delight and surprise her faithful readers, but J.D. Robb does so, continuously and flawlessly. Enjoy!" William Lashner invokes A Killer's Kiss in this recent thriller. "Lashner's plot is fast-moving," says Michael Scott Cain. "He begins the book at a breakneck pace and then keeps amping up the action to move even more quickly." The three selections in the graphic novels/trade collections department today are pretty diverse. Take a look! Adam Warren's bodacious (but insecure) heroine is back in Empowered 3. Batman endures The Long Halloween in this epic tale of gangland slaughter. "There are a handful of iconic Batman stories, and The Long Halloween is counted proudly among them," Tom says. "This landmark tale written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Tim Sale captures a side of Gotham that no other story has accomplished." Mark Allen somehow missed John Romita Jr. 30th Anniversary Special when it came out in 2006, but he's found it now. It is, he says, "one of those publications that gets fans of comics and comics history completely goofy and giddy. ... There are few more deserving of recognition, based on volume of work and important projects under their belt than John Jr." That's it for this edition's look at the sequential arts. Tune in next week for more, including the sequel to The Long Halloween. Beckah Tolley, Raven Duclos and Katie Boyd take us along on a Ghost Quest in New Hampshire. "Even experienced ghost hunters get scared. That's one of the unexpected truths we learn by reading this book," says Corinne H. Smith. "You can polish off this volume in the course of one afternoon, but beware! For at least a while afterward, you could find yourself looking over your shoulder and wondering if you're really alone." 
And now for a bit of cinematic flair to round out the day.... Becky Kyle offers everyone a peek into Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. "I love first-run movies. No home theatre system can replace the smell of popcorn, the wall of video and sound of a real theatre -- but with the rising cost, I see films on matinee and I rarely ever see a film twice in the theatre," she says. "But if my companion had agreed to turn around and see Mr. Magorium again, I would have done so. I do plan on taking some friends to see this film -- a retread for me, but it'll be a treat to see their reactions as the plot unfolds." While Becky has the floor and is on the subject of movies, she has a review of Eddie Vedder's movie soundtrack to Into the Wild. "Chris McCandless's life story demanded someone with a voice that's evocative, but spare. The instrumentation needed to be varied, but simple," she says. "The Into the Wild soundtrack fits the bill." Lots more is on the way! (Meanwhile, browse through our vast archives of past editions, below.) 3 May 2008 Civility is more than just manners. Civility is the oxygen that democracy requires, else it will become poisoned and die. Can't chat, gotta go share the love of writing and music with a bunch of first-graders thirsting for knowledge. See ya!
Christina Harrison flits back to her Scottish childhood with Mrs. Paterson's Daughter: Memoirs of a Glasgow Bairn. "The songs on this CD would undoubtedly amuse any child, but also serve the purpose of telling what growing up in Glasgow was like for young Christina," Laurie Thayer says. "Invite Mrs. Paterson's Daughter home to meet your kids; she's sure to delight." Sarah Blair plucks the Flower of the Red Mill. "Don't worry too much. The only real danger here is that you will exhaust yourself tapping along to this beautifully produced collection," says Nicky Rossiter. "There may not be any hit songs on here, but the overall album is a treasure to be sought out by lovers of good music and passionate playing." H Tiller's Folly crosses A River So Wide with its Vancouver brand of acoustic folk music. "The result may lead you to think of a kind of Canadian Fairport Convention -- not the classic Fairport line-up of Liege & Lief and Full House, focused on traditional and trad-sounding songs, but the later, still extant Fairport, where the material is largely original and folk but one of the genre influences," Jerome Clark says. "Happily, the influence of the Anglo-Celtic tradition is detectable even in River's more poppish or Californified country-rock moments. Tiller's Folly knows how to conjure up a strong, linger-in-the-psychic-ear melody." K Natalie Merchant seeks out the Motherland on this musical departure. "You'll get mixed reviews for this one, possibly because a lot of listeners expect something akin to the edgier, quirky pop of Natalie Merchant's first album -- and of course, her work with 10,000 Maniacs," Dirk Logemann says. "Motherland is a departure from the earlier pure-pop sound. It's a lot more rootsy, exploring a few different styles including gospel and blues." E Little Windows go vocal on Just Beyond Me. "Julee Glaub and Mark Weems, performing together as Little Windows, are based in North Carolina, and the primary instrument on offer on Just Beyond Me is the human voice," Nicky Rossiter explains. "They bring us a selection of songs that never fails to please." Glenna Bell takes The Road Less Traveled for a little spin in the country. "A resident of Houston, Bell is not in fact a honkytonk girl but a writing teacher with a graduate degree in English," Jerome Clark says. "Clearly, she knows how to put together an exceptionally fine song, and she also knows how to deliver it with grace, power and humor, all of it direct, unadorned and blunt. The emotions are laid as bare as emotions can be laid in a song. The Road Less Traveled is one highway no discerning musical wayfarer will mind passing down." Earl Klugh is playing with a Naked Guitar. "The album of 14 tracks is mostly cover tunes featuring, as the album title suggests, only Klugh and his guitar," Sherrill Fulghum says. "While there is no electronic manipulation of any kind -- only a stripped-down, straightforward recording -- it sounds at times as if Klugh has another guitarist on board. But don't let your ears fool you, it's only Earl." Zera Vaughan heads Back to the Roots of her North African heritage. "Zera's music does not fit into the typical mold of any particular style," says Sherrill Fulghum. "Her distinctive voice blends with the traditional sound to form a world music sound that reaches right down to your soul." The Essential Touch "is an album of music as therapy and an aid to relaxation, balance and healing," Nicky Rossiter says. "As it indicates, this is a selection of sounds meant to wash over you as you relax and allow your inner self to breathe." Joyce Lucia teaches Voice for Musicians in a book that is decidedly not for beginners. "This means that beginning students, coming to this book, are likely to need some help getting through it; the book assumes a previous knowledege of musical concepts," says Michael Scott Cain. "In all, Voice for Musicians provides some good information, but for maximum usefulness, most beginning singing students are going to have to use it in conjunction with a teacher or vocal coach."
Brian Keene "turns the gore-and-death factor up to 11" for Kill Whitey. "A little more polish would have made this a much better novel," Tom Knapp says. "As it is, it's entertaining horror fiction that should keep readers stuck to the pages for a day or two of delicious mayhem." C Kelley Armstrong employs a little Industrial Magic in the fourth volume of her popular Women of the Otherworld series. "The story takes us through a series of twists and turns that are both unexpected and well thought-out," says Becky. "I enjoyed the characterization, the plot and Armstrong's writing style. It doesn't often get much better than this." Justina Robson is Keeping It Real in the first volume of her Quantum Gravity series. "The Quantum Bomb of 2015 rocked the world and altered life forever. It opened dimensions within the universe, linking the Earth to worlds only imagined," Cherise Everhard explains. "Mixed in with all the fantasy and adventure is a little bit of humor and a whole lotta heat -- my definition of a perfect read. This is a series I will happily continue to follow." Naomi Novik ignites a Black Powder War in her world of dragons. "Once again, Naomi Novik has created a fun work with intrigue, excitement and woven history," Gloria Oliver says. "Several cultures make the scene and we're made to feel the agony of encountering the onslaught of Napoleon's ever advancing army." Whitney LeBlanc writes about a Lousiana Creole family in Shadows of the Blues. "LeBlanc's writing flows easily and it is hard not to be captured by the trials and tribulations of life in Cajun country," Wil Owen says. "Sometimes the white man is their worst enemy. Sometimes it's their own race and, sometimes, their own family." T The enigmatic bounty hunter Jango Fett is laid bare in Open Season, a graphic novel exploring his personal history and the reasons he was chosen to "father" an army of clones, Tom says. "But if the story by Haden Blackman is strong, the art by Ramon Bachs is even stronger. The action fairly flies from the page, and the colors by Brad Anderson are vibrant and rich." Mary Harvey slips into Charles Burns' Black Hole. "This is one of the darkest graphic novels I have ever read, and I mean that quite literally: rendered in the starkest black-and-white visuals, the lines are heavy and thick, with emphasis on black, black and more black," Mary says. "Much like David B.'s graphic autobiography Epileptic, the color black dominates every page, with white seemingly thrown in only when absolutely necessary." Alexandra Holzer, daughter of ghost hunter Hans Holzer, describes a life of Growing Up Haunted. "You would think the result would be fascinating. Unfortunately, it is not," says Michael Scott Cain. "It is too bad Holzer didn't either hire an editor to work with her or get the editing she needed from her publisher. In Growing Up Haunted, she has interesting stories to tell, but only the very committed reader -- or a reviewer -- will wade through the confused and confusing text to find them." In his previous book, Divine Nobodies, "Jim Palmer told the story of how he experienced a spiritual crisis that grew out of a fundamental error he had made: mistaking church for religion," Michael recalls. "Wide Open Spaces continues the story. ... It is about the experience of God in ordinary daily life, the life of walks in the woods, repairing household appliances, going to football games and so on. It does not preach, it does not shout or insist -- it simply relates one man's experiences and lets him share what he is in the process of learning."
Let's wrap up today's update with a pair of very different movie reviews. Cherise Everhard travels to the streets of Ireland with Once. "The storyline is bittersweet and eloquent; a modern-day musical about two people at a crossroads in their lives when they meet," she says. "Once is a simple but magnificent film with amazing music and actors; the result is unforgettable." Becky Kyle says Something the Lord Made "details the lives of Drs. Vivien Thomas (Mos Def) and Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman), who were pioneers in the field of cardiac surgery. ... It's no surprise this film won an Emmy in 2004. Something the Lord Made is a fascinating historical depiction of a pioneering time in our history both scientifically and racially." Lots more is on the way! (Meanwhile, browse through our vast archives of past editions, below.) 26 April 2008 A leader is best when people barely know he exists, Heading into the studio for a little recordin', so must dash. You go ahead and enjoy these reviews, now!
Jerome Clark takes a look at two Scottish recordings: Real Time's Home Thoughts and Rosslyn by North Sea Gas. "When we who dwell on this side of the big pond think of Scottish folk outfits, it is the Battlefield Band and the Tannahill Weavers that come automatically to mind," he says. "As treasured as they may be, they are not the only carriers of the Scots tradition, naturally and happily." J.P. Cormier is a one-man band on Looking Back: The Instrumentals. "No, not in the sense that he has cymbals between his knees and a drum mounted on his back. But Cormier, who started teaching himself to play guitar at age 5 and was winning adult-level competitions by 9, has mastered an awesome number of instruments," Tom Knapp says. "Most tracks are 100 percent J.P., and it's an incredible aural experience." Rob Huffman, a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist from New England, offers a varied feast on his CD Tone Without Tension, Wil Owen says. "There are some standard sounding Celtic tracks, a few old-time bluegrass tunes, a few tongue-in-cheek selections and even a country piece or two. What he lacks in vocal talent, Rob makes up with superb playing skills, an entertaining presentation and some great backup." Greg Adkins is ready and willing to Chase the Western Sky. "Adkins can write, play and sing," Michael Scott Cain says. "With producer Chris Rosser, he has put together an album where fiddles and Dobros blend with electric guitars and Hammond organs, creating a soundscape that serves the songs well." Bob Dylan is making a mark on Modern Times. "Not sure if you've heard of this guy," Tim Readman says, tongue firmly in cheek. "He's been around for years, released some great albums, confused and confounded fans and critics alike and is still in the ring, swinging punches. At 65 years old, he has swagger and energy that a lot of youngsters would die for. His voice has always fallen into the love-it-or-hate-it category. Now it is raspy and worn but has a sparkle and a sense of devilment to be relished." Charlie Sohmer is just Dying to Have a Good Time. "Sohmer, a Candian folk/country/roots musician and singer, prides himself on smiling a lot and feeling terrific every day," opines Michael Scott Cain. "The only problem with the CD is that all the emphasis on the ultimate joy can cause a casual listener to lose sight of what Sohmer is really doing: bringing light into the darkness. His subject matter isn't always bright and happy; there is an awareness of the dark side that he explores with insight and much more depth than is apparent on the surface." Lori McKenna serves up a heapin' helpin' of The Kitchen Tapes. "The Kitchen Tapes is one of four albums that Lori self-released during the first years of her career," Corinne H. Smith says. "She recorded these 13 tracks in her kitchen, using just a small recorder and microphone. So this is the ultimate 'unplugged' session, complete with occasional door slams and Mom asking the kids to be quiet. And yet, she still manages to blow us away with her vocals, her strumming and a selection of haunting and amazing songs." Interstate Cowboy passes by with There's a Road, the band's second release. "As I scrutinized the cover, I expected either a straight-ahead Western swing outfit or -- in the fashion of some Texas groups -- a guitar-rock band showcasing gimmicky Western imagery," Jerome Clark says. "It turns out the five-man Interstate Cowboy's sound synthesizes popular and vernacular styles, incorporating or integrating rock, reggae, folk, jazz, swing and classic pop at various points." Omar Kent Dykes and Jimmie Vaughan are playing their blues On the Jimmy Reed Highway. "It helps, obviously, that Texans Omar Kent Dykes and Jimmie Vaughan have been playing the blues circuit all of their adult lives, and by now they're into serious middle age," Jerome remarks. "They have absorbed Reed's music into skin and bone, to take its place among innumerable other influences to be reshaped inside their own informed imaginations." D Evan Bartholomew brings organic electronica to the Borderlands. "It's electronica without a thumping beat, new age without sappiness and minimalism without mind-numbing repetition. It has too much melody to please diehard Philip Glass fans, and too few unidentifiable electronic sounds to please diehard Robert Rich fans," says Jennifer Mo. "In short, I like it." Najee breaks a dry spell by sharing My Point of View. "My Point of View is a collection of 10 mostly instrumental pieces that do more than entertain the listener, they sooth the soul in a way that only smooth jazz can," says Sherrill Fulghum. "Fans of Bob James, Spyro Gyra, Hiroshima and Rupert Holmes will want to give Najee a listen and add this album to their musical collections." Cecilia Smith's Dark Triumph: The Life of Victoria Lancaster Smith "is a fascinating double album," Nicky Rossiter says. "The album is also a record and an affirmation of what it once meant to be black and American. ... This is an innovative way of telling a life story and is well worth seeking out."
C Kelley Armstrong dazzles the crowd with a little Dime Store Magic in the third book of her Women of the Otherworld series. "I actually didn't realize Dime Store Magic was the third book in a series when I picked it up at the bookstore," Becky says. "In my opinion, this is a strong recommendation. One of my pet peeves about this genre is the 'to be continued' tag after slogging through 400-plus pages." K Adele Geras takes a Voyage on the SS Danzig in the early 20th century. "The story has many main characters as it captures several different people and their thoughts, feelings and experiences as they sail from their homes in Europe across the Atlantic to start over in America," Cherise Everhard says. "The multiple character perspective gives the reader a deeper, more profound glimpse of ship life." James L. Nelson sails on with the Brethren of the Coast with the second volume in the trilogy, The Blackbirder. "Like the previous book in the series, The Guardship, The Blackbirder makes full use of author James L. Nelson's knowledge of the sea. Set in 1702, the story sails along at a brisk pace, filled with action and excitement but never overlooking the rich, layered development that makes these characters colorfully human," Tom Knapp says. "Nelson is a man to watch. I have already begun reading the third book in the series, The Pirate Round, although I am a little disappointed to know the book ends the saga of Thomas Marlowe." Katie MacAlister brings Becky Kyle for another one with Aisling Grey, Guardian #1: You Slay Me. "MacAlister has a laugh-a-minute dry Scottish wit that keeps you rolling in the aisles through this romantic fantasy romp," Becky says. "This is a quick and light read -- maybe not one you want to take to quiet environments if you have a tendency to laugh out loud!" S The spotlight is shown on the Darkness in this Ultimate Collection. "These are a few of my least favorite things: buckets of gore, extreme violence, profanity, promiscuity, visual and prose cliches, a 'hero' who is vile, an entire cast (except a one-dimensional barkeep) that is vile, unrealistic dialogue, nihilism and a protagonist who transforms into a superhero for no discernable reason," says Michael Vance. "So why is this distasteful series so popular if I, Mr. Know-It-All, doesn't like it? The art is terrific throughout, and some folks like to watch trainwrecks." Michael also has a close encounter with Ed's Terrestrials. "You'll be reminded of the best in animation as you read this well-drawn romp with Ed, who is probably 8 or 9 years old," Michael says. "The colors are vibrant and perfect for the minimalistic art. The visual storytelling is flawless." Phillip Gardner opens the Gateways to the Otherworld -- or, at least he tries to in this book. "For all I know, Gardner might be absolutely right on in his statements. He might have access to some subjective knowledge that escapes me and, I suspect, most reasonable readers," says Michael Scott Cain. "However, since he promises at the outset a scientific discussion, we can only rely on his use of scientific principles and his use of logic, both of which are, shall we say, a touch off the wall."
Becky Kyle takes a trip to Neverwas, a film that "went straight from the can to DVD despite an amazing cast" including William Hurt, Ian McKellen and Nick Nolte. "The problem is, Neverwas really doesn't quite have a niche. It's not precisely a fantasy as it's billed or a psychodrama," she says. "My suggestion is you rent this film before you buy it. You may not want or need to see Neverwas again, but for the price of a rental, it's an interesting and inspiring way to spend a quiet afternoon." Next, Becky takes a ride on the Darjeeling Limited. "The story's about three brothers: Francis (Owen Wilson), Peter (Adrien Brody) and Jack (Jason Schwartzman)," she says. "Even if the brothers are occasionally depressing, the scenery, music and train are well worth watching Darjeeling Limited for. This is definitely a spiritual journey even for those of us watching in the audience." Lots more is on the way! (Meanwhile, browse through our vast archives of past editions, below.) 19 April 2008 Only the winners decide what were war crimes. It's another beautiful day. I'm sensing a trend -- must investigate! See ya!
The Outside Track takes The Outside Track for a blended collection of Celtic music. "Usually supergroups emerge as established stars combine to release an album. The Outside Track takes a different tack," Nicky Rossiter says. "These musicians from Vancouver, Derbyshire, Edinburgh, Mayo and the Highlands of Scotland got together at the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance in 2005, and on this album they present us with an accomplished piece of work redolent of their musical education allied to a true love of the genre. Drawing on a repertoire that combines old and new, Irish and other, folk and more, they present 14 tracks of musical treasure." Empty Hats remembers its former days on Greatest Hats. "Some of these songs might sound familiar at first, but the Hats tend to muck about with the lyrics -- quite often to great effect. A few are slow, but most are bursting with the kind of energy the Empty Hats pour forth from the stage at their performances," Tom Knapp says. "It's a treat to see these guys perform. A CD just can't match the live experience, but it comes close. You should try to find this." Captain Tractor motors North of the Yellowhead, but doesn't hold the attention of reviewer Tim Readman. "They are a bunch of blokes that celebrate drinking, partying and being in a band in a frenetic, student-pleasing, beer-soaked frenzy. They are clumsy, lack sublety, swear a bit and have left their sense of deftness and tact at the door," he says. "If you are a fan of that kind of thing, then Captain Tractor's North of the Yellowhead will bring back many happily blurred memories. It just gets on my nerves." M Gary Fjellgaard & Valdy are back with Contenders Two: Still in the Running. "Two guys, two voices, two guitars. It's a simple, homey formula and this album sticks to it almost without fail," Gregg Thurlbeck says. "For the most part, however, the album chooses more bland, cliched emotional content and I'm left, at the end of the disc, feeling pleasant but not deeply moved by the songs. A nice evening with old friends, but no one has said anything controversial or challenging, nothing that will have me thinking the next day." Dailey & Vincent "accomplish the always welcome feat of reminding me why I have liked bluegrass for a very long time" with their self-titled CD, Jerome Clark says. "They do it through the sorts of harmony singing ordinarily associated with the brother duets of the pre-bluegrass era -- Monroe Brothers (Bill and Charlie), Blue Sky Boys (Bill and Earl Bolick) and others. ... They also do it by choosing excellent material." Jerome next takes a look at two recent releases from the Boston-based Cow Island label: Bar of Gold by Arty Hill & the Long Gone Daddys, and Pictures from Life's Other Side by Preacher Jack. Cow Island, Jerome explains, "celebrates that moment in the mid- to late 1950s when country music and rock 'n' roll rubbed shoulders and electricity, virtual and literal, crackled. Make no mistake, in that golden era Cow Island's acts would have been judged country singers, meaning they would have performed in country venues and had their records spun on country radio stations. In that sense, though rockabilly is inevitably part of their sound, they aren't rockabilly artists as such." L Boston jazz singer turned Arizona belter Wensday "is trading on her varied musical past, saying that her background as a classically trained jazz, rock and blues singer has enabled her to create a new genre, a musical hybrid she calls torch rock," says Michael Scott Cain. "The claim might be a bit overstated, but there's no mistaking that this woman can sing." For more on this one, read Michael's review of Torch Rock. Marion Meadows joins the Player's Club for a little Heads Up jazz. "Meadows, who appreciates a variety of musical styles, sticks mostly to smooth jazz, a genre that easily lends itself to integrating a number of musical ingredients into the mix," Sherrill Fulghum says. "The music wraps itself around you and carries you away. The album grabs you and says listen only to me ... and do nothing else." Mary Youngblood invites you to Dance with the Wind. "The opening track on this wonderful CD will mesmerize and relax you as only the music of a person as in touch with the elements as this artist is can achieve in a few short minutes," Nicky Rossiter says. "Mary Youngblood is an expert in her Native American flutes, and when you add the other instrumentation and arrangement this very soul of the old wilderness is filtered and made all the more enjoyable to modern ears. She adds drums, violins, chimes and much more, but never loses that authentic sound." Continued in the Rambles archives.... |
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erome Clark eyes up a pair of recent bluegrass releases: Larry Stephenson's 
The story's spin is one that's not commonly told -- and an interesting one. Territory is hard to put down, but I found myself doing that -- and re-reading earlier passages -- because I wanted to make this one last. This is one of the best fantasy novels I have read in a long time."
"If you're reading this book solely for the cheesecake factor and bondage humor, you'll be thrilled with this new installment," Tom Knapp says. 
"But writer/artist Adam Warren has proven himself to be capable of more plot-driven action and character development than this -- poor li'l Emp deserves some growth."
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den Brent "doesn't fit any particular romantic Delta fantasy or stereotype, unlike the famously (or notoriously) poor, non-Caucasian musicians who nurtured the blues in that region in the first half of the last century," Jerome Clark says. But, "over time, she absorbed, even mastered, a range of African-American vernacular styles, including blues, r&b, soul and jazz-inflected pop. All are in evidence in 
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pider-Man and Red Sonja are together again in a Marvel/Dynamite crossover cleverly titled 
elissa Gibson is 
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