We made it through another week, and have some great rewards for you, including the latest by a recent Grammy-nominated artist who is covering the library of a Grammy legend. Let’s get this weekend started.
Artist Name: Sarah Lightman
Album Name: Interlude
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. Interlude; 2. Let Your Light In; 3. Graduating 4. Alright; 5. Until I see you Again; 6. Shell; 7. I Can’t Be; 8. So Good; 9. Home; 10. We are the Same; 11. Letter to my Father
Publicist: Elisa Tapia
Review: Sarah Lightman came to Los Angeles to be an actress but gave it up to become a singer-songwriter. If her debut album, Interlude, is any indicate, she made the right choice. Her songs offer hope and are sung with such a sweet voice that the listener can’t help but be drawn up. Her music deserves heavy rotation on radio stations nationwide, and her songs should be highly considered for placement in television and film. We especially love “Graduating,” “Until I See You Again” (with its jazzy undertones and amazing co-vocals from WOLVES), “I Can’t Be,” and “So Good.” She may have made her start performing on the streets of City Walk, but she’s ready for a larger audience. Don’t miss this train as it leaves the station for super stardom.
Recommendation: Definitely RUN out and get this one.
Artist Name: Jimbo Pap
Album Name: It can Always get Worse
Label: Fiesta Red Records
Genre: California Country/Americana
Track Listing: 1. Submission (Nice Pants); 2. On my way to the show 3. Long Kiss Goodbye; 4. Nothing’s Quite the Same; 5. Queen of my Lonely Little World; 6. String of Pearls; 7. Yard Sale; 8. Long Time Movin’; 9. Another Ticket on the Windshield; 10. It can Always get Worse; 11. Someone’s Gonna Love me Again
Publicist: Devious Planet
Review: A recent edition to the Los Angeles Americana scene, Jimbo Pap provides the perfect tongue-in-cheek approach to incorporating their unique blend of country with a folk-style message about current events. Their voices create incredible harmonies that deliver their message without offending the listener. You will quickly find yourself tapping along to the beat while you process the words, and will leave with a better understanding of what you can do to improve the world around you. Don’t forget to grab a beer and tool around the dance floor as well.
Recommendation: A brilliant release that deserves a place in your library – go get it!
Artist Name: Sarah Rogo
Album Name: Smoke and Water
Label: Funzalo Records
Genre: Blues/Roots
Track Listing: 1. Pieces; 2. Here Goes Nothing; 3. Smoke and Water; 4. Will you Still Love me Tomorrow 5. Run; 6. Jolene; 7. Love and be Loved; 8. Take me to the Water 9. Which Wolf; 10. Voodoo Child
Publicist: Independent Music Media
Review: Hard to believe it’s been nearly two years since we reviewed an album from Sarah Rogo (Live at Lestats West), which was her first album published by Funzalo Records. She was signed after meeting them at the Durango Songwriters Expo, one of several up and coming superstars that emerged from the annual affair in Denver, Colorado. From the first notes of “Pieces,” you can quickly hear her maturity and growth as an artist. She is the voice of a new generation of blues and roots singers, and we believe she is heading for tremendous success. Her songs cut to the heart and deliver a touching message, accompanying by Rogo’s mad resonator guitar skills. This one deserves to be on repeat, especially her beautiful interpretations of the classics “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” and “Jolene.”
Recommendation: One of the best we’ve heard from any Durango alum – run out and don’t stop until you get this one.
Artist Name: Janiva Magness
Album Name: Change in the Weather: Janiva Magness Sings John Fogerty
Label: Blue Élan Records
Genre: Blues Covers
Track Listing: 1. Change in the Weather; 2. Lodi (ft Sam Morrow); 3. Someday Never Comes; 4. Wrote a Song for Everyone; 5. Don’t you Wish it Were True (ft Taj Mahal); 6. Have you Ever Seen the Rain 7. Bad Moon Rising; 8. Blueboy; 9. Fortunate Son; 10. Deja Vu (All Over Again); 11. A Hundred and Ten in the Shade; 12. Lookin’ out my Backdoor
Publicist: MAD Ink PR
Review: As someone who grew up on the music of John Fogerty and Credence Clearwater Revival, it was quite an honor to be asked to review these amazing covers of those songs we grew to love. Janiva Magness takes her stellar blues skills to turn these songs into instant blues classics, and we are sure that Fogerty would be totally ok with that. Our favorites include “Lodi,” “Have you Ever Seen the Rain,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Fortunate Son,” and “Lookin’ out my Backdoor.”
Recommendation: If you love Fogerty and the blues, you will simply adore these interpretations. Run out and get it today!
