Take Effect

Beyond The Blue Door

Stony Plain, 2019

8/10

Listen to Beyond The Blue Door

Ronnie Earl is no slouch when it comes to playing the guitar, and here he’s backed up by his esteemed band The Broadcasters with appearances by Kim Wilson, David Bromberg and Greg Piccolo.

“Brand New Me” starts the listen with warm keys and guitars alongside soulful, Motown influenced vocals, and “Baby How Long” follows with a bluesy spirit and plenty of playful rhythm where Wilson handles harmonica and vocals.

In the middle, “The Sweetest Man” offers plenty of sophisticated melody amid fluid piano, while “It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry” recruits an atmospheric setting as it reinterprets the Bob Dylan song with plenty of detailed musicianship and smokey, gritty vocals from Bromberg.

Near the end, “Wolf Song” illustrates incredibly skilled guitar work, and “Bringing Light (To A Dark Time)” moves at a quick pace with grooves, rhythm and timeless melody. “Blues For Charlottesville” ends the listen with grace, restraint and sublime instrumentation in the moving, topical exit.

Earl and company offer 15 tunes here, and it gives them plenty of time to display their unparalleled, respective skills. Now 20+ albums into their career, Beyond The Blue Door proves they’re in no danger of running out of ideas and that their delivery isn’t waning one bit.

Travels well with: Roomful Of Blues- Dressed Up To Get Messed Up; Bob Margolin- Bob Margolin

A Life Like Ours

Buddhaland, 2019

9/10

Listen to A Life Like Ours

If you’ve spent any considerable time watching TV, you’ve probably already heard Shane Alexander’s music on one of the many shows he’s help soundtrack. On this 7th studio release, Alexander offers bare pieces as well as full, lush rockers, and it all comes from a very spiritual place, as the troubadour finds plenty of intimacy across A Life Like Ours.

“Everything As One” gets the album off to a soft and sparse start, as Alexander’s expressive vocals guide us through a gentle folk tune, and the suicide themed “Lost Road” follows with a fuller delivery where calm percussion and keys flow alongside his graceful delivery.

An album where every track is a highlight, “Taxi Cab” moves with a cautious pop spirit amid the Americana influences, while “I’ll Be Here”, a tune about anti-gun violence, displays his strong guitar playing amid hushed beauty with an orchestral slant.

Deeper in the listen, “Riverbed” shuffles with a rural beat in a playful yet subdued gem, and “Evermore” ends the listen crisp and bright with Alexander’s charming formula radiating emotion, positivity and strong song craft.

Alexander is in fine company here as players who worked alongside Lady Gaga, Shooter Jennings, and Grateful Shred are in attendance, and they help illuminate his gripping storytelling perfectly.

Travels well with: Jeff Buckley- Grace; Bruce Springsteen- Nebraska

Symmetricity

Armored, 2019

8/10

Listen to Symmetricity

A man who wears many hats, Shawn Purcell is a musician, educator, composer, and arranger who has shared the stage with some of the best of the best in jazz and has also performed on 30 recordings. With Symmetricity, Purcell’s first time as band leader, he offers us 9 originals and 1 cover with some heavy hitters helping him flesh out the affair.

“Swirl” starts the listen with strong guitar before a busy setting sits in as all instruments collide with precision in a post-bop fashion, and “Steady Comin’ At Ya” follows with a calmer atmosphere of soothing, agile jazz sounds and creative blues influences.

Further along, “A Bela (For Darden)” uses subtle but strategic keys on warm, expressive highlight where wordless vocals from Darden Purcell are used for effect, while “You, And You Alone” recruits playful percussion in the adventurous yet cautious gem.

Late in the listen the standard “Here’s That Rainy Day” is a slow burning affair, tinted with melancholy but still so beautiful, and “Norm’s View” ends the listen with soaring singing and vibrant percussion that builds into a dizzying display of deft skill.

Purcell makes his first trip at the helm a valiant effort with varied instrumentation, impressive textures and a fresh take on modern guitar jazz sounds that unfolds with much creativity and lasting power.

Travels well with: John Scofield- Country For Old Men; Peter Bernstein- Earth Tones

Blessed Assurance

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to Blessed Assurance

This 5th album from the composer, arranger and pianist Sheldon Pickering has the artist reworking 8 classic hymns while holding down keys, as guitars, violin, strings and percussion are handled by Ryan Tilby and Aaron Ashton.

The title track opens the listen with sublime keys from Pickering as gentle guitars and strings complement the affair, and “Swing Low” follows with much jazz influence in the highly rhythmic affair.

Further along, “Be Though My Vision” adds plenty of soul and emotion to the dynamic album highlight, while “I Need Thee Every Hour” finds the listen entering gospel territory with much thoughtful beauty.

Near the end, “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” soars with breezy melody and a tint of a haunting quality, and “Take Time To Be Holy” exits with a calming, meditative quality that could sooth anyone’s anxieties.

While there certainly are jazz and classical influences to be found here, there’s also New Age nods, as Pickering and company deliver an engaging and fascinating instrumental record.

Travels well with: Bill Evans- Undercurrent; Eliane Rodrigues- The Gershwin & Bernstein Connection

Fake Jazz & Theme Songs

Ludlow St., 2019

8/10

Listen to Fake Jazz & Theme Songs

Though Slim Gambill’s name may not immediately ring a bell, we’ve all heard his work as the longtime guitarist of the global superstar Lady Antebellum. On this first solo album, Gambill’s acts, in his words, like a tourist of jazz sounds, and he’s in some very strong company for the debut.

“Last Time Thing” starts the listen with a lively jazz sound where many instruments mesh into a precise, melodic, groove filled setting, and “Levitations” follows with a brisk pace of warm shuffling and swing jazz fun.

Elsewhere, “Silly time” offers some serious guitar playing and gorgeous interplay between the rhythm section, while “Cop Show”, with Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band), recruits bright saxophone for the laid back, spirited affair.

Deep in the listen, “Also Shuffle”, which brings in Kenneth Crouch (Mariah Carey), flows with a dynamic, festive tone, and “4 Guitars Having A Conversation” ends the listen with sublime musicianship that few, if anyone, could replicate.

If you’re scratching your head about why a country star like Gambill would release a mostly instrumental jazz album, well, it’s really just Gambill returning to his roots. And while he hasn’t dedicated his life to jazz like many of his peers, he does a fantastic job as a visitor to the genre, and would sound right at home on the Blue Note record label.

Travels well with: Augie Haas- Dream A Little Dream; Mike Pachelli- High Standards

Shell Of A Girl

Hen House, 2019

9/10

Listen to Shell Of A Girl

Though it wasn’t too long ago that Sunny War was a homeless punk, these days the songstress is seeing worldwide acclaim, sponsorship endorsements and stability, thanks to her thriving career as an articulate, topical and moving songwriter who hits a career high with her sophomore album, Shell Of A Girl.

“Shell” starts the listen elegant and warm with a bluesy, cultured tune where War’s expressive vocals shine, and “Where The Lost Get Found” follows with a touching acoustic guitar fueled folk song where harmonica adds much to the atmosphere.

In the middle, “Love Became Pain” shuffles with a playful pace to the frisky picking and emotive delivery, while “Off The Cliff” flows with pretty instrumentation in a display of cautious songwriting that touches on Latin influences. The album highlight, “Soul Tramp”, is indeed soulful, and brings to mind the delicate atmosphere that Elliott Smith could create.

Deep in the listen, “Got No Ride” unfolds with a confessional spirit as soft percussion and harmonica punctuate the mood, and “XO” finishes the listen with soft keys on a sparse yet powerful exit of hushed beauty.

Now in her late 20’s, War is still very much evolving as a musician and human, and this effort touches on many of the darker sides of the status quo with a lyrically upfront delivery that musically borrows from folk, blues, country and rock, yet with a biting edge leftover from her punk years.

A truly exceptional artist, Sunny War has the potential to become one of the most important songwriters of this generation, or at least this record is a step in that general direction.

Travels well with: Birds Of Chicago- Love In Wartime; Ida Mae- Chasing Lights

Cold-Hearted Truth

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to Cold-Hearted Truth

A Nashville duo who certainly sound like they reside in The Country Music Capital of the World, Swearingen & Kelli return with a 3rd album of their harmonic Americana, and this time it comes with an influence of ‘70s singer-songwriters.

“Don’t Judge This Broken Heart” gets the album off to a country fueled start with pretty vocal harmonies- a common occurrence throughout- and deeper tracks like the aching pedal steel of “Cold-Hearted Truth”, and honky tonk fun of “Hot Southern Nights” follow a similar, memorable path.

Further on, warm balladry invades “Take A Chance On Me”, while the playful spirit of “Cryin’ Shame makes this one of the album’s best. “West Virginia” ends the listen with a slow burning, emotive display of rural beauty, as the pair illustrate their strength on lush affairs, too.

A record that’s full of nostalgic sounds as well as modern melodies, Swearingen & Kelli once again prove that their inimitable chemistry puts them at the top of today’s folk, country, Americana, and roots scene.

Travels well with: The Civil Wars- Barton Hollow; Lady Antebellum- Own The Night

Unwound

Blight, 2019

9/10

Listen to Unwound

Spearheaded by Matt Dowling (the EFFECTS, Paperhaus, Deleted Scenes), it turns out Unwound is Dowling’s favorite band, and the Olympia post-punk legends inspired this sophomore Swoll album.

“L4F” starts the listen with glowing synth before playful vocals enter the eccentric pop setting, and “Setting Sun” follows with a firm beat amid an adventurous and post-punk influenced delivery.

Elsewhere, the title track bares little resemblance to the Olympia heroes and instead flows with a soulful, electro-pop spirit, while “Shudder To Think” has a few similarities to the DC legends, and offers a buzzing template of experimental ideas that draws more parallels to Girls Against Boys.

At the end, “Where You Go” comes with some of the best falsetto vocal work present in the dreamy package, and “Haydee’s” exits the listen with a blistering pace of punchy, charged, ‘80s nods and New Wave friendly genius.

Though synth and beats are handled by Benjamin Schurr, everything else is Dowling, and while on the surface this bares little kinship to Unwound’s music, Swoll embraces the artistic side of rock in like-minded ways that help make Unwound an exceptional record.

Travels well with: Luna Honey- Peace Lives; New Order- Movement

Hey, I’m Just Like You

Sire, 2019

9/10

Listen to Hey, I’m Just Like You

The sibling sensations return with a 9th studio album that brings tunes they penned between the ages of 15-17 to life and reinvents them with their professional musician status and well versed studio skills.

“Hold My Breath Until I Die” starts the listen and isn’t as dramatic as the title implies, as the firm beat, guitar strumming and indie-pop template draw us in quick, and "Hey, I’m Just Like You” follows with soaring melodies and a playful spirit that they’ve built their careers on.

In the middle, “Hello I’m Right Here” offers piano balladry with pretty vocals, while “I Don’t Owe You Anything” builds into full electro-pop, though it’s an anomaly on this collection as much of the record goes back to their guitar focused approach and early punk roots.

Near the end, “We Don’t Have Fun When We’re Together Anymore” moves with a driving pace and strong musicianship that made the duo a household name, and “You Go Away And I Don’t Mind” recruits a modern emo influence into the vibrant pop appeal that’s tailor made for the club. “All I Have To Give The World Is Me” ends the listen with gorgeous, lush sounds that prove that these women were already writing great songs at the onset of high school.

As you can tell by the song titles, there’s certainly an adolescent spirit here, but their present day world class skill dresses the tunes up nicely, and, as always, doesn’t sit comfortably in just one genre.

If you’ve been following all along, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with this batch, and if you’re just checking to see what all the fuss is about, well, these are absolutely musicians who warrant all the attention.

Travels well with: Rilo Kiley-More Adventurous; Tancred- Nightstand

Project 5.4: Who Is Ann?

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to Project 5.4: Who Is Ann?

Terri Hendrix has had a busy year, with several releases that, although stylistically different, all share the common thread of her atypical and high creative song craft.

This installment, the Who Is Ann EP, sits closest to electronica, where loops, samples and talking are all part of the artistic and adventurous template.

“Drive” starts the listen vocally strong with warm harmonies as the music resides close to Americana with timeless folk storytelling as Hendrix injects spoken word, and “Happy” then steers right into electronica and poetry from Hendrix in the feel good tune that isn’t short on grooves.

The last 3 tunes are just as interesting, and include the playful percussion and sweet strumming of “Move”, which will certainly get your body moving, as well as the culturally strong and beat driven “Woman”, where hushed vocals run alongside the frisky tempo. “Grieve” ends the EP with emotive singing and soft, agile musicianship in the orchestral and piano heavy exit.

Although it may seem odd to use pedal steel and mandolin alongside ‘80s indebted keys, Hendrix and company do a fine job here while addressing weighty issues, both personal and political. An extremely prolific songwriter as of lately, Hendrix continues to produce all substance and no flash with her timeless, relevant art.

Travels well with: Lori McKenna- The Tree; Mary Gauthier- The Foundling

Talk To A Human

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to Talk To A Human

Generally, when an artist releases much music in a short period, the quality of the work varies greatly. However, when Terri Hendrix does it, there is little variance- it’s all top notch.

On Talk To A Human, the songstress hovers around folk, Americana and roots, and addresses the trouble communication has become in our all to dependency on technology.

The title track starts the listen with warm Americana and folk melodies, as Hendrix’s mix of talking and singing gives the tune a unique angle, and “Mi Madre” follows with horns that inject some Latin flavor into the playful tune.

Elsewhere, “Don’t Meddle In My Mood” offers plucky bass and an old time feel in the soul venture, while “Worthy” recruits country spirit into the charming storytelling.

Near the end, “The Dark”, a Guy Clark cover, flows with a poetic delivery of the classic, and “I Hear Your Song” ends the listen with breezy melodies and a timelessness that will be relevant for decades to come.

Hendrix is in fine company here, as her band contributes fiddles, pedal steel, banjo and other graceful noisemakers, and the songs unfold with a universal appeal that resonates with a comfortable familiarity and insightful thoughtfulness.

Travels well with: Billy Bragg- Workers Playtime; Cindy Walker- Words & Music

Die Happy

LoHi, 2019

8/10

Listen to Die Happy

A Wisconsin quartet with a penchant for bluegrass, folk and Americana sounds, Them Coulee Boys return with their best work yet on this incredible sounding 3rd album that was recorded at the legendary Pachyderm studios.

After the gentle acoustic sounds of the thoughtful, reflective “Pray You Don’t Get Lonely”, keys enter the cautious setting of “Hand Of God Pt. 1”, where vivid storytelling runs alongside sublime instrumentation.

Further on, “Find Your Muse” brings us raw folk fun with much intimate beauty, while the quick paced and busy “Die Happy” recruits a punchy spirit for one of the album’s best.

Primarily a listen of slow burning tunes. “Midnight Manifestos” emits a fuller display of warm rhythm and a memorable chorus, though the bare tunes near the end like “Evangelina” and the nearly a cappella “My Anxiety & Me” really illuminate the outfits ability to communicate, inspire and entertain in eloquent ways.

Though the album was recorded studio live, the strong chemistry between the players and skilled musicianship radiate a fluid, full sound as banjos and mandolins help illuminate the gritty yet beautifully textured environment.

Travels well with: Pert Near Sandstone- Out On A Spree; Trampled By Turtles- Wild Animals

Days Like These

Toy Robot, 2019

8/10

Listen to Days Like These

Troy Roberts has been bandleader on 11 albums now, and with Days Like These the jazz sensation is accompanied by Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts on drums, who has already played on 2 albums of Roberts’ already.

“My Girl Is Just Enough Woman For Me’ starts the listen with snappy, playful jazz sounds where saxophones and robust organs from Joey DeFrancesco highlight the setting, and “Why Was i Born” follows with cautious sax and light percussion in a very introspective delivery.

Elsewhere, “The Waltz Of Parting Days” balances restraint and frisky sounds in a soothing display, while “Sly Old Dog” unleashes a busy, dizzying fury of sophisticated interplay at a quick tempo.

Near the end, “Little Man You’ve Had A Busy Day” winds the listen down with organs fills from Emmet Cohen and plenty of adventurous percussion, and “Wizard Of Ozroop” exits the listen with an upbeat romping of timeless and melodic jazz fun.

Roberts is a tenor saxophone wizard here, and his skilled band help make Days Like These an ambitious, balanced and extremely fun listen that, amazingly, was recorded in just one day- further proof of the talent present.

Travels well with: Larry Wolf With Four Cats & A Canary- Mood Swings; Mad Love- ISH

Love Is

Sweet Serenity, 2019

8/10

Listen to Love Is

An acclaimed international jazz vocalist and songwriter, the Detroit native Yvette Norwood-Tiger returns with a dozen tunes that are both jazz standards and well crafted originals, too.

“Equinox” starts the listen with Norwood-Tiger’s beaming vocals across the playful percussion and stylish jazz tune where trumpets punctuate the mood, and “Song For My Father” finds the songstress getting soulful and emotive alongside keys and soothing rhythms.

In the middle, “Long Lost Friends” offers a quick pace of danceable jazz fun, while “Come Sunday” recruits a gospel feeling into the powerful anthem that’s immediately memorable.

Near the end, “Time Is A Wrecking Ball”, a Norwood-Tiger original, has her flawless pipes on full display as keys illuminate the album highlight, and “Agua De Beber” settles into a frisky, snappy jazz number that’s impossible not to enjoy. “That’s All” ends the listen key heavy and elegant, firmly putting an exclamation point on the robust listen.

Norwood-Tiger reworks tunes by John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, and Edith Piaf, among others, that celebrate love and her renditions are delivered with much passion, and even more sincerity and authenticity on this glowing, warm album.

Travels well with: Billie Holiday- Music For Torching; Nancy Wilson- A Touch Of Today

I Am Your Neighbor

Organic, 2019

8/10

Listen to I Am Your Neighbor

This 3rd album from the North Carolina duo of Zoe & Cloyd has the pair getting even more creative as they touch on bluegrass, klezmer and vintage sounds with I Am Your Neighbor.

“Looking Out For You And Me” gets the album off to a warm spirited, bluegrass start with wordplay that surrounds the poisons in all our food, and “Neighbor” follows with gentle balladry as Zoe’s pretty vocals are highlighted under the moody strings.

Further along, “The Past Keeps Getting In The Way” offers a emotive tune with flowing melodies, while “Rising Waters”, one of the album’s best, has the pair harmonizing with timeless beauty.

Near the end, “Build Me Up” recruits a folk spirit alongside some agile solos, and “No Difference” exits the listen impassioned and reflective as the two illustrate dynamic chemistry that few could replicate.

A record of substance both lyrically and musically, the husband and wife outfit deliver a unique formula rooted in Appalachian sounds, and fans of bluegrass, folk and even Eastern European music will find much to enjoy here.

Travels well with: Tellico- Woven Waters; Small Town Therapy- Dreams And Circumstances