Besides being a music critic, I have been a roadie, merchandiser, manager, publicist and promoter for indie artists. I’m now adding booker to my resume as I plan a three week tour for a local indie artist. Booking is hard, and I now have even more respect for indie artists than before. Can’t wait to announce the tour dates and the artist, so keep it tuned here for more details. We’ve got some more great artists for you today, including the solo debut of Suzanne Santo (honeyhoney).
Artist Name: Blind Lemon Pledge and Friends
Album Name: Backwoods Glance
Label: Ofeh
Genre: Country/Blues
Track Listing: 1. Polly Come Out; 2. The Hills of West Virginia; 3. Sisters of the Coal Dust; 4. Moon Over Memphis; 5. Lynchburg Town; 6. Fayetteville; 7. Silver Wings; 8. Sweet Celine; 9. Carolina Kiss; 10. Sunset; 11. Ma Belle Cherie; 12. Give my Poor Heart Ease
Publicist: Working Brilliantly
Review: This album is chock full of pre-WWII country and blues. These timeless songs still ring true today. The overall acoustic sound and simpleness work perfectly with the material. Really love the banjo work on “The Hills of West Virginia,” the female lead vocals on “Sisters of the Coal Dust,” and the harmonica on “Lynchburg Town.” We also love “Moon Over Memphis,” “Silver Wings,” and “Carolina Kiss.”
Recommendation: If you crave acoustic music that is simple and without enhancements, then this album is a must for your collection.
Artist Name: Lew Jetton & 61 South
Album Name: Palestine Blues
Label: Coffee Street Records
Genre: Blues
Track Listing: 1. Will I go to Hell? 2. Oh my My; 3. For the Pain; 4. Mexico; 5. Sold us Out; 6. Drinking Again; 7. Don’t Need no Devil; 8. Christ Have Mercy; 9. Drama; 10. Bout Time
Publicist: Frank Roszak Promotions
Review: Listening to this album should be mandatory for all blues lovers. Lew Jetton and his band, 61 South, understand the first rule of the blues – make the listener feel the music, and that’s what you get on Palestine Blues. From the rocking blues of “Will I go to Hell?” and “Oh my my” to the soulful wailing blues of “For the Pain” and “Drinking Again,” this album has something for every blues lover, or music lover, for that fact. Check out the political statement of “Sold us Out.” This is the perfect album for your Friday night party, reflecting every mood imaginable. Our favorites include “Oh my my”, “For the Pain,” “Mexico,” “Christ Have Mercy,” and “Drama.”
Recommendation: Don’t hesitate – go Get this one now!
Artist Name: Brandon Luedtke
Album Name: Morning Light
Label: Self-released
Genre: Folk/Americana
Track Listing: 1. Can’t get Away (From the way of the World); 2. The Cuckoo Bird; 3. Over the Interstate; 4. Black Mountain Echoes; 5. Let it Rise; 6. One of These Days; 7. New World; 8. Stay Gone; 9. Somethin’ Evil; 10. By the Light of the Moon; 11. Feelin’ the Feelin’; 12. Soon one Morning
Publicist: Broken Jukebox Media
Review: Brandon Luedtke is a modern-day mixture of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, and is a folk artist through and through. The album contains nine original songs as well as interesting and unique covers of two classic songs, “The Cuckoo Bird” and “Soon one Morning. While his voice would give him problems in pop music, it is perfectly quirky enough for folk and Americana, and is reminiscent of old time country artists like Bob Wills and Ernest Tubb. Luedtke is a true Texas troubadour, and proudly keeps that tradition alive. Best cuts include “Can’t get Away,” “Black Mountain Echoes,” “One of These Days,” “Stay Gone,” and “Feelin’ the Feelin’.”
Recommendation: If classic country and traditional folk music is your thing, then you should add this album to your collection.
Artist Name: Suzanne Santo
Album Name: Red Ruby
Label: Self-released
Genre: Americana/Alt-country
Track Listing: 1. Handshake; 2. Ghost in my Bed (explicit); 3. The Wrong Man (explicit); 4. Best out of Me; 5. Regrets; 6. Yours or Mine; 7. Love Fucked up (explicit); 8. Blood on Your Knees; 9. Bullets; 10. Better Than That; 11. Regrets (acoustic)
Publicist: Missing Piece Group
Review: Honeyhoney’s Suzanne Santo has released her debut solo album, and it was everything you would expect from one of Americana/Alt-Country’s premier voices. Santo pulls no punches with biting and often explicit lyrics, her soaring vocals, and a musical accompaniment that will either have your toes tapping or compel you to the dance floor. Santo uses soaring fiddle and guitar to follow her words as she sings about heartache and loss. This is how a modern woman grieves, because, as Miranda Lambert says, “This ain’t my mama’s broken heart.” There is not a weak song on the entire album, and the majority of them are ripe for radio and/or placement in television and film. This is especially true of “Ghost in my Bed” and “Regrets,” both upbeat songs with a heavy message of loss.
Recommendation: This is one of the best albums we have reviewed in 2017, and it has the goods to become an instant classic. We strongly urge you to Get it before it’s gone.
