-
3 days ago | 
americanahighways.org | John Apice
Robin Trower – For Earth Below – 50th Anniversary Edition 4-Disc Set
This was originally Robin’s third solo LP after departing Procol Harum. There was a period when Robin was considered the heir to Jimi Hendrix with his mystical airy leads on Procol Harum songs he wrote (“Song For a Dreamer”).
-
3 days ago | 
americanahighways.org | John Apice
Kai Crowe-Getty – The Wreckage
This is Kai’s debut solo album since spending more than a decade in front of a Virginia-based rock band known as Lord Nelson. This time out, the songs are more personal, more troubadour-like than simply a lead singer. Kai layers his songs with warm melodies & in a country sense, dreamy pedal steel guitar notes that lay it on heavy with the poignancy in “The Wreckage.” Well done.
-
4 days ago | 
americanahighways.org | John Apice
The Bluesmasters featuring Cassie Taylor
What’s instantly obvious about these songs is that, despite being written years ago by some blues greats, the band with Cassie Taylor (vocals/bass/banjo) play the songs with such contemporary arrangements & vigor that the songs sound modern. Blind Willie Johnson’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” sparkles under Cassie’s tonality & the band is smooth & bluesy simultaneously. No rough edges.
-
4 days ago | 
americanahighways.org | John Apice
Steve Gillette – Best of
For those unfamiliar, Steve is an artist who has released 14 albums throughout his career. He has been an accomplished singer-songwriter since 1968, with compositions covered by artists such as Linda Ronstadt, John Denver, Tammy Wynette, Garth Brooks, Jennifer Warnes, Kenny Rogers, Nanci Griffith, Don Williams, Waylon Jennings, and Anne Murray.
-
4 days ago | 
americanahighways.org | John Apice
Tom Ciurczak – Yorick
This project is the Hudson Valley, NY-native Tom Ciurczak’s latest (pronounced Sir-Zak) album of original songs since 2020. Tom (vocals) has tunes that are primarily alternative country & heartland rock influenced by a cross-section of giants such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Warren Zevon, Steve Earle & the more progressive rock stylings of Peter Gabriel.
-
4 days ago | 
americanahighways.org | John Apice
Sons of the East – Sons
The musical indulging here doesn’t exactly break new ground, but it does conveniently take some bright elements of past contemporary pop & parlay it into a modern, likeable & faithful musicality. The 12 memorable tunes are supported by a distinctive lead vocalist & tight backup singers with customary deep organ notes, swish of banjo & piano cascades through a business-as-usual variety of melodies. Yet, the instant attraction comes with their dynamic vocalizing.
-
5 days ago | 
americanahighways.org | John Apice
Terry Hanck – Grease To Gravy
This set has a ‘60s soul-blues (R&B) feel, once the domain of Boz Scaggs in the ’70s. Laid out with lots of old-fashioned organ notes, “Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You” is potent in an easy-listening-soul environment. This is mindful to ears as old as mine of Jerry Butler, Chuck Jackson, Deon Jackson (“Love Makes the World Go Round”), & Len Barry (“1-2-3”).
-
1 week ago | 
americanahighways.org | John Apice
Spilled Mercury:
The Davenports – You Could’ve Just Said That
While the majority of other writers compare this “band” to Weezer, Ben Folds & the Fountains of Wayne the actual roots of this musical approach were planted in 1978 by Cliff Wade & Geoff Gill of The Beaver Brothers (YouTube) from their sole LP (“Ventriloquisms”) beginning with the song “You’ll Never Believe It.”
Sans The Beaver Brothers orchestrations, Scott’s “I’m Not Going To Bother You (Today),” is quite good.
-
1 week ago | 
americanahighways.org | John Apice
Robert Deitch – Legacy
The material on this collection is a consistent showcase of soulful Americana with a dash of country music composed in a bright & melancholy storytelling manner. Songs deal with moving forward, redemption & self-reckoning. Predominantly, the human experience.
12 pieces make up Legacy (Drops June 20/Golden Bear Records/46:04), produced by Bryan Vanderpool (guitar/drums).
-
1 week ago | 
americanahighways.org | John Apice
Iron Horse – Pickin’ On Creedence Clearwater Revival: Bluegrass Rising
Growing up, I found ‘60s Country music a little silly (unless it was the late Jim Reeves or Johnny Cash). But when Country music started sounding more upbeat, fun & melodic, I was told I was listening to Bill Monroe’s bluegrass. I started to listen when I heard Elvis do “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” a Bill Monroe song. Elvis listened to bluegrass?
