Dougie Poole

The Rainbow Wheel Of Death

Wharf Cat, 2023

9/10

Listen to The Rainbow Wheel Of Death

A Brooklyn indie artist who is well versed in country sounds, this 3rd album from Dougie Poole has the crooner alongside drum machines, synth and acoustic guitar for the 9 heartfelt tunes.

The cosmic country nods of the title track opens the listen with a bit of a dance floor ready jangle, and “High School Gym” follows with a melodic haze of thumping drums and Poole’s distinct, soft singing.

Further on, the folk prettiness of “Nothing On This Earth Can Make Me Smile” is as eloquent as it is heartbreaking, while the honky tonk sensibilities of the crisp “Worried Man Blues” is the album’s best track.

Poole makes great use of pedal steel on the aching “Lived My Whole Life Last Night”, and “I Hope My Baby Comes Home Soon” uses harmonica strategically for the melancholic and sharply intimate exit.

Poole puts a unique spin on classic country ideas here, and his lo-fi, pop and gritty moments certainly keep us hanging on every sincere and poetic moment.

Travels well with: Horoscope- Carne.; Bambara- Love On My Mind

Monika Ryan

Playfully

Resensitive, 2023

8/10

Listen to Playfully

The esteemed jazz vocalist Monika Ryan delivers 11 originals here, where Steve Einerson, Rene Hart and Alvester Garnett join her for tracks about life, love and the path to happiness.

The appropriately titled “Keepin’ It Light, Keepin’ It Mellow” starts the listen with Ryan’s bright and expressive voice amid Einerson’s playful keys, and “Grow Where I’m Planted” follows with Garnett’s skilled drumming complementing the dreamy climate that has Ryan hitting some high notes.

Elsewhere, “I Found That Place” offers a lyrically strong and musically stylish delivery thanks to the agile keys and Hart’s bouncy bass, while “Slipping Out” spotlights the bass acrobatics and soft drumming that suits Ryan’s smooth pipes.

“Living Thoughtfully” and “Whole And Resounding Love” exit the listen, where the former, the album’s best, uses mature keys and frisky bass to its advantage, and the latter finishes on a melodic and vocally strong note, where the rich musicianship matches the powerful pipes.

The veteran players sure do illuminate Ryan’s song craft well, where each song radiates timeless jazz qualities and wordplay that anyone can relate to.

Travels well with: Lisa Marie Simmons- Notespeak 12; Grace McNally- Full Circle

Nils Lofgren

Mountains

Cattle Track Road, 2023

9/10

Listen to Mountains

Even if you aren’t familiar with Nils Lofgren’s name, you’ve heard his work, as he played in The E Street Band and Crazy Horse, and his prolific solo career is quite impressive, too, as evidenced by these 10 soulful rock tunes.

“Ain’t The Truth Enough” starts the listen with Ringo Starr (drums) and Kevin McCormick (bass) helping make for a rich and spirited retro-rocker, where Lofgren’s lap steel, organ, vibraphone and vocals won’t go unappreciated, and “Only Ticket Out” follows and showcases crisp drums and some spacey ideas amid the grit and warmth.

Halfway through, “Nothin’s Easy” lands in folk-rock territory that radiates so much beauty from the pedal steel and poetic vocal harmonies, while the melodic “Dream Killer”, the album’s best, in an emotive and lush rocker that’s so meticulously layered.

Approaching the end, “I Remember Her Name” is a quicker, scrappy version of throwback rock that’s quite dreamy as well, and “Angel Blues” exits the listen with graceful piano and soaring voices for the sublime balladry that’s as heartfelt as it is memorable.

Other names you might know who appear on the record include Neil Young, Cindy Mizelle, Ron Carter, Howard Gospel Choir, and David Crosby, and they help illuminate Lofgren’s blues and gospel moments of this vulnerable and wise body of work that certainly stands out in a 50 year catalog of music.

Travels well with: Jackson Browne- Downhill From Everywhere; John Hiatt- Leftover Feelings

Alex Coke & Carl Michel Sextet

Emergence

PlayOn, 2023

8/10

Listen to Emergence

The Alex Coke-Carl Michael Sextet consists of some of Austin’s brightest musicians, and their brand of fusion jazz is certainly unpredictable, which is a big part of its charm.

“After The Rain”, by Coltrane, opens the listen with Carolyn Trowbridge’s dreamy vibes and Coke’s soulful sax for the heartfelt climate, and not long after, “Bagatelle II” follows with Michel’s warm guitar and Bob Hoffnar’s moody pedal steel for the mysterious tone.

Further on, “Locust Grove” finds a mesmerizing place to reside with Coke’s agile flute amid the hypnotic vibes, while “Again” emits much beauty thanks to the intimate flute, guitar and vibes interaction.

Closer to the end, Elaine Barber’s flowing harp on “Wait/Not Wait” adds much to the rich landscape, and the bright “POP!” exits with James Suter’s bass acrobatics complementing the brass and percussion with a distinct playfulness.

A listen that doesn’t shy away from improvisation or atmosphere, the sextet formed during the pandemic, and the collective skill of the members makes for folk moments, waltz fun and even haunting bouts of the very atypical and exciting kind.

Travels well with: Clifford Jordan- Drink Plenty Water; Kevin O’Connell Quartet- Hot New York Minutes

Jason Kao Hwang

Book Of Stories

True Sound, 2023

8/10

Listen to Book Of Stories

The fusion extraordinaire Jason Kao Hwang aligns himself with Anders Nilsson and Michael T.A. Thompson for these jazz-rock inspired tunes that provide an exciting platform for his electric violin skills.

“The Power Of Many In The Soul Of One” opens the listen with much ambience, as Hwang’s careful string manipulation is met with Thompson’s unpredictable drumming for 13+ minutes of tense bouts, and “Upside Circle Down” follows with artistic, minimal qualities populating the playful delivery that benefits much from Nilsson’s guitar acrobatics.

On the back half, “a silent ghost follows” emits a haunting quality that’s dreamy in a very atmospheric fashion, while “Dragon Carved into Bone” focuses much on the fluid drumming amid the tonally impressive violin. Closing out the listen, “Friends Forever” makes for an intimate and even romantic landscape of rich interaction between the trio’s agile playing.

Hwang is as prolific as he is creative, and these 5 involved pieces capture the disillusionment and divisiveness of right now with a very articulate vision.

Travels well with: Alex Coke & Carl Michel Sextet- Emergence; Clifford Jordan- Drink Plenty Water

William Matheny

That Grand Old Feeling

Thirty Tigers/Hickman Holler

10/10

Listen to The Grand Old Feeling

The West Virginia singer-songwriter and guitarist William Matheny breeds a version of Americana that’s steeped in Appalachian Storytelling, and he’s got Adam L. Meisterhans, Clint Sutton, Jeremy Batten, John R. Miller, Bud Carroll and J. Tom Hnatow in attendance for the 9 thoughtful songs.

The flowing melodies of the warm and poetic “Late Blooming Forever” opens the listen with Sutton’s fluid drumming complementing the eloquent singing, and “Every Way To Lose” follows with a hint of grit amid Batten’s keys and the driving country rock.

The title track lands in the middle, and offers rich and timeless Americana ideas, while “Heartless People” uses pedal steel strategically alongside the expressive singing and Miller’s agile bass playing.

“Christian Name” and “Stranger’s Voice” exit the listen, where the former is initially sparse before segueing into a crisp, rootsy rocker, and the latter is a bit more rugged, with thicker guitars populating the rock focused finish.

A listen that can often remind us of ‘70s heartland rock or heroes like Magnolia Electric Co. or Drive-By Truckers, each track here is flawless and superb Americana that will always be enjoyable and relevant.

Travels well with: John Fullbright- The Liar; Jarrod Dickenson- Big Talk

Richard Hell & The Voidoids

Blank Generation

ORG, 2023

10/10

Listen to Blank Generation

This pivotal 1977 album from the punk rock icon Richard Hell sees the reissue treatment, where a 2017 remastering of the 10 songs comes with a 20 page booklet with the original liner notes by John Picarella and a new afterword from Richard himself, as well as a fold-out poster and a printed CD sleeve with lyrics.

The thumping and raw proto-punk of “Love Comes In Spurts” opens the listen and welcomes melodic backing vocals, and “Liars Beware” follows with some quirky New Wave nods populating the barked versus singing vocals that benefits much from Hell’s bouncy bass.

Halfway through, “Down At The Rock And Roll Club” showcases Marc Bell’s swift drumming amid the swirling guitars, while the title track offers a primitive and punk rock blast of power and melody.

“The Plan” and “Another World” exit the listen, where the former is the calmest he gets here, and even brings a bit of a harmonic jangle, and the latter presents some off kilter rhythm and strong attention to mood that uses Robert Quins and Iva Julia’s guitars playfully.

Hell’s resume is quite impressive, as he also played in Television, Neon Boys and The Heartbreakers, plus he’s been an actor and novelist. One of the most influential minds in the early punk/New Wave scene, this late ‘70s gem sure has aged well, and it’s easy to detect Hell’s influences in many of today’s punk bands, too.

Travels well with: Foxy- X-Ray Spex Tribute; Jonathan Richman & Modern Lovers- Jonathan Sings!

Steve Stoeckel

The Power Of And

Big Stir, 2023

9/10

Listen to The Power Of And

The debut solo album from the original bassist of power-pop legends The Spongetones, Steve Stoeckel brings us 15 diverse rockers here, where a heartfelt presence and short tracks make an indelible impression.

“Laura Lynn” opens the listen and makes great use of Eric Willhelm’s thumping drums alongside Stoeckel’s guitars and powerful pipes, and the acoustic fueled “Birds” follows with Stoeckel handling all instruments in the dreamy, folk friendly climate.

Deeper into the listen, “The Emerald Sea” welcomes Michael Mitsch’s pennywhistle and Stacy Carson’s bodhran for the Celtic influenced beauty and grit, while “Christine” places David Harper on piano and Irene Pena on vocals for the rugged yet melodic retro-rocker.

Close to the end, Stoeckel handles flute and recorder for the intimate appeal of “Hummingbird”, and “Whistling Past Graveyards” exits with a thicker approach thanks to Chris Garges’ thumping drums and Rick McClanahan’s meticulous electric guitar.

A listen where each track is just as good as the one before it, Stoeckel brings a lifetime of talent and skill to this constantly shifting rock’n’roll effort that’s easy to admire and hard to forget.

Travels well with: Popsicko- Off To A Bad Start; Sparkle Jets U.K.- Best Of Friends

Season Ammons

No Restraint

Cobalt Blue, 2023

8/10

Listen to No Restraint

The rising Americana artist Season Ammons returns with a 3rd album, where a very diverse vision embraces the emotional difficulties of the pandemic, including her own struggles.

“Don’t Break My Heart” begins the listen with JJ Johnson’s fluid drumming complementing the warm strings and Ammons’ expressive voice, and “Not That Far Away” follows with Glenn Fukunaga’s playful bass adding much to the emotive and soulful delivery.

“Different Drum” occupies the middle spot and showcases Ammons’ impressive range amid plenty of atmosphere, while “Worthwhile” isn’t lacking any melody or string interaction for the cultured intimacy.

Near the end, the dreamy and powerful “Tell Me How” is quite heartfelt in its sublime presence, and “Something You Never Had” exits with a scrappy and stylish demeanor that welcomes Dave Percefull’s skilled keys for the smooth finish.

Ammons plays several instruments here, including banjo and mandolin, and bares her soul in songs that surround heartache, addiction and self-actualization. It makes for an authentic and memorable affair, which further solidifies her as a talent worth repeated listens.

Travels well with: Geanies- Can’t See The Sun; The Claudettes- The Claudettes Go Out!

Eric Johanson

The Deep And The Dirty

Ruf, 2023

8/10

Listen to The Deep And The Dirty

The Louisiana native Eric Johanson returns with another batch of varied blues songs, where his rawness and expressive vision is again fueled by his skilled guitar and singing, and it welcomes Terence Higgins, Eric Vogel, Jesse Dayton and Patrick Herzfeld.

“Don’t Hold Back” gets the listen off to a fuzzed out and grooved filled climate, where Higgins’ crashing drums complement the dense bass from Vogel, and “The Deep And The Dirty” follows with plenty of grit amid the spirited guitar and thick melodies.

Further along, “Undertow” emits plenty of swagger via the playful roots rock, while “Just Like New” is a bit calmer, where a poetic quality flows alongside crisp drums and charming percussion.

Deeper on the back half, the rich and dynamic “Gets Me High” touches on Americana in Johanson’s rugged blues vision, and “She Is The Song” exits with soaring guitar acrobatics that embraces hard rock into the timeless blues formula.

Another first rate listen from an artist who is as eclectic as he is creative, fans of blues from any era or part of the country will appreciate Johanson’s song craft.

Travels well with: Tony Holiday- Motel Mississippi; Mike Pope- Ripening (Ain’t It Strange)

Bill O'Connell

Live In Montauk

Savant, 2023

9/10

Listen to Live In Montauk

The esteeemed pianist, keyboardist, composer and arranger Bill O’Connell is joined by Craig Handy, Santi Debriano, Billy Hart and special guest Randy Brecker for these 7 live tunes of unpredictable and timeless jazz.

The warm and stylish “Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me” starts the listen with Handy’s bright sax and Hart’s proficient drums complementing O’Connell’s fluid keys, and “Sparks” follows with the finger acrobatics on keys adding a mesmerizing quality alongside Debriano’s well timed bass.

“Moanin’” and “No Rhyme Or Reason” exit the listen, where the former bops and shakes with a soulful and dynamic energy, while the latter is full of intimate gestures that radiate both restraint and adventurousness.

Approaching the end, the infectious and busy textures of “Ripty Boom” makes this the set’s best, and “Tip Toes” exits with Randy Brecker’s lively trumpet that suits O’Connell’s dizzying key progressions.

A listen where all the players bring immense talent and distinct playing, the sound quality here is excellent and the delivery flawless.

Travels well with: Saturn Quartet- Luz; Jakob Dreyer- Songs, Hymns And Ballads Vol. 2

Ben Verdery & Ulysses Quartet

A Giant Beside You

ReEntrant/New Focus, 2023

8/10

Listen to A Giant Beside You

The classical and electric guitar icon Ben Verdery brings us a pair of originals, a piece penned by Bryce Dessner and particularly imaginative arrangements of a Leonard Bernstein classic and Chilean composer Javier Farías for this guitar and strings collaboration.

Dessner’s “Quintet For High Strings” opens the listen with quivering strings and strong attention to detail, where the melodic setting unfolds with dancing interaction between the players and Verdery’s meticulous playing.

Bernstein’s “Clarinet Sonata” lands in the middle, and is rich with the precise winds and emotive guitar making for much intimacy, while Verdery’s originals, “About To Fall” and “A Giant Beside You”, emit a stirring presence of beauty and grace via the careful strings of the former, though the latter is busy, tense and mesmerizing in a rock fueled sort of way.

The final selection, Javier Farías’ “Andean Suite”, comes with 3 chapters of cultured, cinematic sweeping song craft that spotlights the string acrobatics via the Peruvian folklore.

A very worldly and timeless body of work, Verdery makes for an unconventional but very intriguing listen that’s highly admirable.

Travels well with: Zohn Collective- John Liberatore: Catch Somewhere; Seamus- Music From Seamus, Vol. 32

Steven Ricks & Ron Coulter

Precipitations

New Focus, 2023

9/10

Listen to Precipitations

The iconoclastic composers/performers Steven Ricks and Ron Coulter bring their inimitable prowess to these spontaneous and unpredictable pieces that blur the eletronics with trombone and percussion.

“Tap, Rattle, And Blow” opens the listen with the lively brass and wild percussion that’s complemented by a flute sample and bluesy nods, and “Late Night Call” follows with timbral manipulations and pitch-less electronica unfolding with nods to dated technology.

In the middle, “Charming Ways” emits plenty of adventurous samples of spoken text via the random percussive bouts and friction sounds, while “Button Drop” spotlights Coulter’s exciting percussion in rich, asymmetrical ways.

The final piece, “Slurry”, builds into a thicker appeal of harmonized trombone, calm glockenspiel and even the sounds of birds chirping.

An extremely inventive body of work that pairs performance art with sonic exploration, Ricks and Coulter turn improvisation into a refined science here, where reverb moments, haunting bits and much emphasis on timbre is nothing short of stunning.

Travels well with: Ben Verdery & Ulysses Quartet- A Giant Beside You; Zohn Collective- John Liberatore: Catch Somewhere

Ashley Bathgate

8-Track

New Focus, 2023

9/10

Listen to 8-Track

The New York City cellist Ashley Bathgate fleshes out a listen inspired by Steve Reich’s Counterpoint series, where the 5 pieces are live and pre-recorded and document her profound familiarity with her instrument.

“Augun”, by Fjóla Evans, starts the listen and is influenced by a traditional Iceland song, where the shimmering, dissonant textures create a mesmerizing climate, and Emily Cooley’s “Assemble” follows with 8 parts pieced together for rich tones.

The middle tracks belong to Alex Weiser’s “Willow’s Song” and “Shimmer”, where the former is full of graceful and emotive song craft, while the latter manipulates space and tension with no lack of melody. The last piece, Reich’s “Cello Counterpoint”, places Bathgate’s solo prowess amid pre-recorded layers of harmonic cycles.

A highly expressive and technically stunning performance, few, if any other cellists could make these sounds, and it’s gripping from beginning to end.

Travels well with: Julia Werntz- Someone Who Loves You Throws Me At You; Lee Weisert- Recesses

Various Artists

Invocation

Navona, 2023

8/10

Listen to Invocation

Véronique Mathieu’s violin and Stephanie Chua’s piano come together for this collection of pieces from female-identifying composers of unique heritages, backgrounds, and cultures.

Amy Beach’s “Mazurka Op. 40, No. 3”, “Invocation Op. 55” and “Romance Op. 23” opens the listen with the keys and strings interacting with both grace and warmth for the flowing and intimate pieces, and “Sonata Da Camera”, by Grażyna Bacewicz, follows with a stirring emotional capacity populating the heartfelt musicianship.

Pauline Viardot’s “Sonatina In A Minor For Violin And Piano” arrives in the middle and pairs the mesmerizing keys with reflective violin for the album’s best, while “Four Seasons Ballade” is full of gentle, vulnerable song craft that’s poetic and absorbing thanks to Alice Ping Yee Ho’s thoughtful vision.

The listen exits on Florence Prices’s “Fantasy No. 2 in F-Sharp minor Based on a Folk Melody”, where the firm keys are met with playful strings in the upbeat, sometimes rumbling and very dynamic closer.

A very animated and exploratory listen, the duo highlight each composer’s unique perspective with meticulous and careful attention to detail and mood that is much appreciated.

Travels well with: Karel Martínek- Heavy Pedal Vol. 2; Meira Warshauer- Ocean Calling

Michel Pignolet de Montéclair

Montéclair Concerts For Baroque Flute

Navona, 2023

8/10

Listen to Montéclair Concerts For Baroque Flute

The Opus Project, i.e. Joanna Marsden, Christophe Gauthier, Margaret Little and Daniel Zuluaga, explore the work of Michel Pignolet de Montéclair across 2 discs of creative baroque chamber music.

Disc 1 opens with the flowing interaction of “Premier Concert”, where Marsden’s eloquent baroque flute dances around the warm playing of Zuluaga’s proficient theorbo, and “Deuxiéme Concert” follows with both intimacy and adventurousness populating the calm melodies and Gauthier’s skilled harpsichord.

The back half of the listen welcomes the dreamy climate of the highly meticulous “Troisiéme Concert”, where Little’s viola da gamba is particularly luminous, while “Quatriéme Concert” exits in B-Flat with swift and agile playing across the 12 lively chapters.

A listen that pairs Italian dexterity and detail with the meaningful French language, the flute, viola da gamba, harpsichord, and theorbo put a fresh coat of paint on centuries-old pieces for a modern appeal.

Travels well with: Invocation; Meira Warshauer- Ocean Calling

Angie Wells

Truth Be Told

Cafe Pacific, 2023

8/10

Listen to Truth Be Told

An autobiographical listen from the vocalist/songwriter Angie Wells, there’s a large cast of players present to flesh out the 13 covers and 4 originals.

“There’s Always Time For Lovin’” begins the listen with Kye Palmer’s bright trumpet and Jacob Scesney’s soulful tenor sax complementing Wells’ rich and playful pipes in the frisky opener, and “Do I Move You” follows with a calm and powerful display of heartfelt song craft thanks to Larry Koonse’s warm guitar amid the expressive singing.

Further on, Valerie Gleason’s snapping and clapping adds much to the gospel feel of “Truth Be Told”, while “You Don’t Know What Love Is” features John Clayton’s precise bass for the intimate moment that’s minimal but impactful.

Deep onto the back half, Josh Nelson’s dreamy keys suit Wells’ gorgeous pipes for the balladry of “I Wish I’d Met You”, and the upbeat “I’ve Got A Feeling” recruits Clayton Cameron’s crisp drums, Carey Frank’s organ and plenty of backing vocals for a glorious, universally embraceable exit.

Wells uses blues, jazz, R&B and soul to her advantage, and this sophomore release solidifies her as a talent that any listener will benefit from in soul, mind and body.

Travels well with: Cecilia Smith- The Mary Lou Williams Resurgence Project: Volume One; Mafalda Minnozzi- Natural Impressions

Michael J. Miles

American Bach Revisited

Right Turn On Red, 2023

9/10

Listen to American Bach Revisited

This is the 8th album from globally praised banjo player Michael J. Miles, who, alongside Jill Kaeding’s cello, makes for the very creative interpretations of J.S. Bach’s Cello Suites I and III, plus an original.

“Cello Suite III” begins the listen with the playful banjo and warm cello interacting with both warmth and adventurousness, as the 6 chapters flow with both instruments using calm versus firm gestures.

The middle belongs to “Cello Suite I”, where a charming intimacy unfolds across the 6 pieces that showcase intricate picking techniques and a very strong attention to tone and mood.

The original, “Chicago Suite”, exits the listen, and is an upbeat and spirited display of rich and dynamic playing from the pair that few, if anyone, could replicate.

Performing Bach’s work on a banjo is no easy feat, but Miles’ profound skill alongside Kaeding’s unparalleled cello prowess creates a chamber listen of the highest caliber.

Travels well with: Sirius Quartet- Playing On The Edge 3; Eliane Rodrigues- The Gershwin & Bernstein Connection

Craig Akin

Me, My Bass And I

Self-Released, 2023

9/10

Listen to Me, My Bass And I

A career sideman who has played on over 100 albums and been a part of 5000 gigs, this solo album from the bass wizard Craig Akin was pieced together during the pandemic, when the lack of touring gave him ample time.

The stylish delivery of the carefully manipulated strings of “Do It” opens the listen with plenty of intrigue, and “Poet Gorman” follows with a bit of cautiousness in the indeed poetic delivery.

Halfway through, “Le Bouchon” illustrates skilled bowing with a very reflective tone, while “Jezebel”, the disc highlight, is full of meticulous progressions that few, if any others, could replicate.

At the end, “Chega de Saudade” uses percussive sounds amid the rhythmic playing for plenty of friskiness, and “Bubble Rap” exits with a strategic denseness that makes an indelible impression.

You might think that an entire album of just upright bass would out welcome its stay pretty quick, but Akin’s inestimable abilities keep our attention with ease.

Travels well with: Steve Shapiro- Plan To Be Spontaneous; Jakob Dreyer- Songs, Hymns And Ballads: Volume 1

John Bowman

The Hole

Mountain Home, 2019

8/10

Listen to The Hole

Though you may not recognize John Bowman’s name, you’ve certainly heard him before, as he’s been a member of seminal outfits like Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Alison Krauss & Union Station and The Isaacs. On his own, he retains the timeless spirit of those full bands, as he fuses country and bluegrass gospel across these 6 tunes.

“You Ought’ve Been There (Johnny Run The Pews)” gets the listen started with a blistering pace of string picking fun and bluegrass dynamics in the highly melodic opener, and “I Didn’t Drive The Nails” follows with warm balladry and pretty, bare instrumentation.

Elsewhere, “The Hole” offers fiddle acrobatics and expressive vocals from Bowman alongside strategic keys, while “Silverthorn Mountain” flows with a shuffling pace of gorgeous rural fun. “I’ll Talk It All Over With Him” ends the listen quick and memorable, with complicated solos and vocal harmonies to punctuate the soothing yet playful EP.

A fantastic story teller, Bowman glides through these tunes with an esteemed band backing him, and makes all the covers his own. Hopefully a precursor to a full length, Bowman again proves that he’s one of the best in business with The Hole.

Travels well with: The Boxcars- All In; Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver- Life Is A Story