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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

Get it or forget it: Katie Garibaldi, Bobbo Byrnes, Lauren Adams

We’re back with another edition of Get it or Forget It.  Due to my work schedule, I will not be able to publish any reviews tomorrow, so this will have to do until Sunday.  But worry not, we have three amazing artists for you today who will definitely keep you company until our next review.

katie-garibaldi

Artist NameKatie Garibaldi

Album NameRooted Clarity

Label:  None

Genre:  Singer Songwriter Acoustic Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Delightful; 2.  I Am; 3.  In my Wildest Dreams; 4.  On my Own; 5.  Bird in a Cage 

Publicist:  None

Review:  Katie Garibaldi has been making quite a name for herself within the Americana community, where there seems to be little emphasis on whether or not an artist is on a label.  Lovers of Americana music seem to place a value on the music and not the source in determining where they give their support.  Maybe the rest of the music industry could learn something from this practice.  At any rate, Garibaldi has a voice and style of music that throws back to a time when music was purer and simpler, in the vein of Patsy Cline, Barbara Mandrell and Lynn Anderson.  Take for example the first track, “Delightful,” which has been nominated for a Hollywood Music in Media award, and has been released as a music video.

The rest of the EP is just as wonderful.  Garibaldi has a special ability to wow us with the simplicity of good music and her amazing voice.  The best track in our humble opinion is “On my Own.”

Recommendation:  If you love soaring vocals and great music that features mandolin, fiddle, and strings, then this is definitely the EP for you.  Indie Voice Blog is proud to give Rooted Clarity a rating of Get It.

bobbo

Artist NameBobbo Byrnes

Album NameMotel Americana

Label:  Songs & Whispers

Genre:  Singer Songwriter Acoustic Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Hold Me; 2.  To her Door; 3.  APB; 4.  Hate This Town; 5.  I may Never Know; 6.  Heading South; 7.  Millsboro; 8.  Solitaire; 9.  No Expectations; 10.  Nothing Needs to be Said; 11.  1, 2, 3; 12.  Long way to Nashville 

Publicist:  None

Review:  Anyone who has spent any time in Southern California has probably been exposed to the music of Bobbo Byrnes, one half of The Fallen Stars, a band praised as one of the next generation of Americana bands.   Even though this is a solo album, Byrnes continues to rely on his wife Tracy’s mad bass skills and powerful backing vocals, as well as the skills of bandmate Ben Riddle of Byrnes’ other band, Riddle and the Stars.  In fact, many of the songs contained on this album have been performed at some time by one or both of those bands.   But it is the shear genius of Byrnes, who by the way contributes vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, bass, mandolin, pedal steel, dobro, tricone, accordion, mandoguitar, tenor guitar, piano, B3 organ, dumpster, harmonica, drums and monotron to the mix, that is demonstrated in 12 amazing songs, nine of which Byrnes either wrote or co-wrote.  Strongest tracks include “Hold Me,” “APB,” “Hate This Town,” “I may Never Know,” “No Expectation,” and “1, 2, 3.”

Recommendation:  Byrnes is becoming one of the hardest working musicians in the Americana community, and his first solo album is further proof of his abilities.  Motel Americana is a definite Get It if you love great music.

lauren-adams

Artist NameLauren Adams

Album NameSomewhere Else

Label:  None

Genre:  Singer Songwriter Acoustic Americana

Track Listing:  1.  It Takes What it Takes; 2.  Somewhere Else; 3.  Henry (from Saginaw, MI); 4.  Heavy, Heavy Heart; 5.  Miss You; 6.  The Shoe Fits; 7.  Oh Marie; 8.  Between me and You; 9.  We try Harder; 10.  Bayview Drive; 11.  National Cheer up the Lonely Day; 12.  Seminole Wind 

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Lauren Adams is one of the predominant female voices in Americana music today, as well as a very talented voice over artist.  On her latest offering she gives us more amazing tidbits that are worthy of your attention, including an amazing cover and inspiring arrangement of John Anderson’s seminal hit, “Seminole Wind.”  Adams also continues to support the Americana music community by incorporating the musical abilities of some of its best musicians on her projects, and the list of those who have contributed to this project is a who’s who of some of the best and brightest.   This is one of those albums that you can listen to from start to finish and never be bored, as the gamut of Americana music is revealed in the musical gems contained within this release.  The strongest tracks are “It Takes What it Takes,” “Miss You,” “Oh Marie,” “We try Harder,” “Bayview Drive,” and “Seminole Wind.”

Recommendation:  It is hard to believe that Adams has been performing for the past 38 years, as her music is always fresh and new.  This is by far one of her best offerings to date, and Indie Voice Blog is proud to give it a rating of “You Better Get it Now!”