CD Review: Last Chance Runaround — Alter Idem; Playing CD Release Party @ Alcove Gallery, February 27

Last Chance Runaround Alter Idem Turtle’s Pace Records By Leila Regan-Porter First impressions are not everything. A glance at Last Chance Runaround’s record Alter Idem evokes ideas of folksy Celtic rock, which is cemented by the image of Sue Volkert (one half of the LCR duo) with her beautiful harp on the back cover of […]

CD Review: George Winston — Love Will Come: The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Vol 2; Playing Presser Hall at Agnes Scott College

George Winston Love Will Come: The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Vol 2 By Eric Chavez Looking for that little something to calm your nerves and put a smile on your face? Grammy-award winning solo pianist George Winston knows a thing or two about how to tickle the ivories for that effect. The disc, a collection […]

CD Review: Josh Harty — A Long List of Lies; Playing Smith’s Olde Bar, February 17

Josh Harty A Long List of Lies By Eileen Tilson After one listen to North Dakota’s Josh Harty’s A Long List of Lies, it would not be a huge shocker if you confused it with a Sun Records production. Harty’s music has that steady-as-a-train beat that would be on any of Carl Perkin’s playlists. With […]

CD Review: Taylor Moore Band — Taylor Moore & The Bordeaux Brothers EP; Playing Smith’s Olde Bar, February 28

Taylor Moore Band Taylor Moore & The Bordeaux Brothers EP By Sam Parvin Taylor Moore is good at fooling people.  While his sounds are obviously blues-influenced, do not expect the usual three-chord B-Side Blues here.  His guitar skills are reminiscent of a well-seasoned musician; with tricky riffs, tempo changes, and seamless harmonies.  But the kid […]

CD Review: Cold Cave — Love Comes Close

Cold Cave Love Comes Close By Eileen Tilson Back in the day, before you were even allowed to set foot in unwelcoming club The Chamber in Atlanta, it was crucial to make sure your dark synth pop knowledge was about as up to date as your black platforms and pleather outfit. Descending into the dark […]

CD Review: Mayer Hawthorne — A Strange Arrangement; Playing The Loft March 13

Mayer Hawthorne A Strange Arrangement Stones Throw Records By Eric Chavez The legacy of Diana Ross & The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and other Motown favorites are alive and well in the heart of Mayer Hawthorne. His sound so emulates that of classic Motown, you can almost picture him with a form-fitting sequent gown and a […]

CD Review: Sade — Soldier of Love

Sade Soldier of Love Sony Music By Eric Chavez Good music is like good sex, when it’s good, it lasts, and when it’s bad, you want it over, yesterday. On that thought, Sade’s new album Soldier of Love delivers the best lovemaking music since, well, her last record, Lover’s Rock. It’s been nearly a decade […]

CD Review: Alejandro Sanz — Parasio Express

Alejandro Sanz Paraiso Express WEA Latina By Eric Chavez From “El Alma al Aire” to “Corazon Partio,” his classics aren’t just hits, they are moments in Latin music history. Sanz’s music has always been musical mango, sweet and solid. Even his filler material is listenable because his performance simply demands it.  With atmospheric, airy romantic […]

Live Review: Justin Townes Earle, Dawn Landes @ Eddie’s Attic, January 31

Live Review: Justin Townes Earle, Dawn Landes @ Eddie’s Attic, January 31

By Jennifer Gibson Anyone remember uber-geek Waldo from the Van Halen video for “Hot for Teacher”? Well, if I didn’t already know Justin Townes Earle was the eldest progeny of former junkie and sometime-musician Steve (sorry, but his records have been hit or miss for me for the past decade), I’d swear he was sired […]

CD Review: Ellis Paul — The Day After Everything Changed; Playing Eddie’s Attic February 5 and 6

CD Review: Ellis Paul — The Day After Everything Changed; Playing Eddie’s Attic February 5 and 6

Ellis Paul The Day After Everything Changed Black Wolf Records By Al Kaufman Boston’s Ellis Paul has been writing contemporary folk for almost 20 years. You don’t do that by just strumming a guitar and acting all sensitive. Paul is a gifted, poetic writer with with a flair for crisp melodies. His voice, which resembles […]

CD Review: Packway Handle Band — What Are We Gonna Do Now?

CD Review: Packway Handle Band — What Are We Gonna Do Now?

Packway Handle Band What Are We Gonna Do Now? Self-released By Scott Roberts You have to admire the tenacity of Athens’ Packway Handle Band. For nearly 10 years, this hard-working quintet has been one of the only purveyors of traditional (well, mostly traditional) bluegrass music in a town known more for its art- and dance-rock, […]