It’s R.E.D. Friday – for those not in the know, that stands for Remember Everyone Deployed and wear a red shirt to support our military. It’s also our final Get it or Forget it of the week, and we’ve got some great reviews for you today, including the return of yet another iconic artist to Blue Élan Records. Here we go.
Artist Name: Rita Coolidge
Album Name: Safe in the Arms of Time
Label: Blue Élan Records
Genre: Pop/Rock
Track Listing: 1. Satisfied; 2. Doing Fine Without You; 3. Walking on Water (ft. Keb’ Mo’); 4. Spirit World; 5. The Things we Carry; 6. Naked all Night; 7. Van Gogh; 8. Rainbow; 9. Over You; 10. We are Blood; 11. You can Fall in Love; 12. Please Grow old with Me
Publicist: Jensen Communications
Review: There is no doubt that Rita Coolidge is a pop icon. As they previously did with Janey Street, Rusty Young, Jack Tempchin, Gerry Beckley and Fanny, Blue Élan Records has brought Coolidge back into the spotlight, and delivered one of the best albums of Coolidge’s storied career. Her voice is still as strong as it was during her heyday, and the songs still bring out emotions you thought were locked away tightly. Coolidge knows how to push your buttons (in a good way), and we are so glad to have her back. Starting with “Satisfied,” Coolidge takes the listener on an emotional journey through life. She has chosen to use a simplified accompaniment of guitar, bass, drums and keys because it is the words and the vocals that are the strongest part of her songs. Ross Hogarth has done it again with his incredible production, engineering and mixing, resulting in an album that truly highlights the artist and the songs. Although the entire album is classic, we really love “Walking on Water” (which features Grammy winner Keb’ Mo’), the funky guitar goodness of “Spirit World,” “Naked all Night,” and “Rainbow,” the sweet sound of “The Things we Carry,” the loving homage “Van Gogh,” and the heartfelt sentiment of “You can Fall in Love” and “Please Grow Old With Me.”
Recommendation: Drop everything and Get this one TODAY!
Artist Name: Victoria Ginty
Album Name: Unfinished Business
Label: Blue Door Records
Genre: Blues
Track Listing: 1. Unfinished Business; 2. Take me Down; 3. Hard to Move On; 4. You Don’t Love me no More; 5. Every Night and Every Day; 6. Give it Up; 7. Water; 8. Sign Your Name; 9. Lying (in Each Other’s Arms); 10. Do me Right; 11. The Blues Found Me
Publicist: Doug Deutsch Publicity Services
Review: We never tire of hearing the blues, and the latest from Victoria Ginty affirms that. The album debuted at #17 on the Roots Music Report Top 50 Contemporary Blues chart, and we have no doubt that it will rise to the top. The album starts off strong with the title track, takes the listener on an emotional roller coaster on “Take me Down” and “Hard to Move On,” rocks our blues away on the upbeat “You Don’t Love me no More” and “Give it Up,” shows us something totally different on her cover of Terrance Trent D’Arby’s “Sign Your Name,” and shows us her soul on “Lying (in Each Other’s Arms).”
Recommendation: If you love the blues with a touch of R&B and soul, then this album is for you. We highly recommend you Get it now and be the envy of all your friends.
Artist Name: Hawk
Album Name: Bomb Pop
Label: Self-released
Genre: Power Pop/Rock
Track Listing: 1. Allison’s Gone; 2. Listen Like Thieves; 3. I Lied; 4. Mrs. Anderson; 5. Not Just Lonely; 6. Around the Sun; 7. Take my Time; 8. Lay me Down Easy; 9. In my Dream; 10. Dry Your Eyes
Publicist: Perpetual Media Relations
Review: Supergroup Hawk has returned with a new retro sound. Made up of lead vocalist David Hawkins, Gary Louris (Jayhawks), Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, R.E.M), and Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello), the band combines elements of 60’s and 70’s classic rock with a power pop sound to create music that has been described as containing “the swagger of the Stones and the melodies of Tom Petty.” We find that description on point, especially on “Allison’s Gone,” “Listen Like Thieves,””Not Just Lonely,” “Around the Sun,” “Take my Time,” “Lay me Down Easy,” and “In my Dream.” This is one of our favorite retro albums this year.
Recommendation: Get it.
Artist Name: Monkey
Album Name: Intermittent Waves
Label: Squidhat Records
Genre: Ska
Track Listing: 1. Intermittent Waves; 2. Hitchin a Ride; 3. Sugartown; 4. Still Gonna be my Girl; 5. Glass Bottom Boat; 6. Rude Vibrations; 7. Bossa; 8. Lovers War; 9. Bowling with Mr. G; 10. Bassinet
Publicist: Squidhat Records
Review: Ska is alive and well, thanks to the return of Monkey to the scene. They are embarking on a west coast tour with another one of our favorites, Frank & Deans, and we have no doubt that the tour will be a huge success. We love the energy of the opening instrumental title track, “Hitchin a Ride,” “Rude Vibrations,” and “Bowling with Mr. G,” the reggae feel of “Glass Bottom Boat,” “Lovers War,” and “Bassinet,” and the swing of “Bossa.”
Recommendation: This one will make an excellent addition to your musical library. We highly recommend you Get it.
Artist Name: The Drew Thomson Foundation
Album Name: Stay
Label: Dine Alone Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Married to the Night; 2. Pace Yourself; 3. Rifle; 4. Stay
Publicist: Auteur Research
Review: Drew Thomson is the founder of Single Mothers, a critically acclaimed and June Award nominated punk band from Toronto. On his solo EP, he brings a more traditional indie rock sound. Although only four songs, it is a worthy effort, especially “Rifle” (which is an introspective look at life) and the title track, which is the lead single. We suggest radio station managers should look at “Stay,” especially indie rock and college stations. We look forward to seeing what else Thomson has in store for us.
Recommendation: This one is definitely worthy of your attention. Check it out.
