Tag: The Jerry Douglas Band

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Artists Worth Checking Out Awards LA Music Critic Awards Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018 – vol. 4

Hope you all got to watch the Grammy Awards last night.  That was an impressive show, especially the performance by Kesha, Cindy Lauper, et al. of her song “Praying.”  It really brought tears to my eyes with its sheer beauty and power.  Let’s all try to honor the message that came through loud and clear – no more harassment and discrimination – just work together in unity.  Here’s our column today.

INDIE ARTISTS WIN GRAMMY AWARDS

While most of these indie artists didn’t get credit, several of them were instrumental in helping someone else get a Grammy win.  Kyler England co-wrote five of the songs on Lisa Loeb’s winning Best Children’s Album, while Ross Hogarth was part of the production team that worked on Taj Mahal and Keb Mo’s winning Best Contemporary Blues album.  Great work indies!

In addition, LA Music Critic Award nominee The Jerry Douglas Band lost their Grammy bid for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album to Jeff Lorber, while fellow LA Music Critic Award nominee John McLaughlin won his Grammy bid for Best Improvised Jazz Solo for “Miles Beyond” from the album Live at Ronnie Scott’s, which we previously reviewed in December.

The winners for the LA Music Critic Awards will be announced at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2018.

LYNN CAREY SAYLOR WINS SONGWRITING COMPETITION

Congratulations to indie songwriter Lynn Carey Saylor, who recently won the Song Door International Songwriting Competition in the Hard Rock/Alt Rock category for her song, “Tidal Wave.”  Saylor has been a hit songwriter for many years,

NEW SINGLES

It’s been a busy week for indie artists, including several past and present nominees for the LA Music Critic Awards.  Here are a few of the latest singles to be released.

The first one is from former nominee Crimson Calamity, which released their latest single, “Fool’s Gold.”  We love their sound and think you will too.

Next up is past LA Music Critic Award and Grammy nominee and Blue Élan Records artist Janiva Magness with her new single, “Down Below.”  We expect this one will qualify her for additional nominations.

Next is the latest from Austin band Signy, featuring Delaney Gibson, with their single, “Human.”  We love how different this is from her solo material, and think you will too.

Multiple LA Music Critic Award winner and nominee Katie Costello has lent her voice to the new single “Bon Air” by Hardsoul.  This one is an amazing dance track that will have you on the floor in no time.

Last but not least this week is the latest single from another multiple winner of the LA Music Critic Awards, Keaton Simons.  His new EP 1-2-3 Go will be released on March 9, and he is whetting our appetite with “Crane City.”

MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week comes from Italian rock goddesses Black Mamba, who we reviewed last week.  This video is for their single, “Loop.”  Get ready to rock out.

Next up is the latest from the songwriting guru, Kari Kimmel of her song, “Voices.”  Check out the amazing cinematography of this one.

Our third video this week is from former San Diego Music Award winner Gayle Skidmore for her song “Pale Ghosts.”  Once again, the cinematography is first-rate.

Our next video comes from first-time LA Music Critic Award nominee Ryan Sims, who we also reviewed earlier this month.  Here is his vision of his song, “Black and Blue.”

Last but not least is the new video from Lucy Levinsohn, former lead singer for Lily’s Siren and Waiting 4 Wyatt.  She has returned to a solo career and brings us “Dear God.”

Thanks for joining us today.  We’ll be back tomorrow with five more Get it or Forget it reviews.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Fire Chief Charlie, The Slants, The Jerry Douglas Band, The Khourys

Happy hump day!  We’ve got a couple of older releases from earlier this year that we just received, so we’re bring them to you now, along with new releases from The Jerry Douglas Band and The Khourys.  Hope you enjoy them all.

Artist Name:  Fire Chief Charlie

Album Name:  Chances Are

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Folk/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Celery Green; 2.  LaGuardia; 3.  Boris; 4.  Bull-Hammer; 5.  Let’s be Happy; 6.  Animals; 7.  Chip Chirp; 8.  Dictionary Red; 9.  We on the Radio; 10.  Elephant Box; 11.  Redford; 12.  Fast Trade 500

Publicist:  None

Review:  Fire Chief Charlie is an indie band which draws its inspiration from the music of Cat Stevens and Buddy Holly to create a musical sound that is truly unique, sort of the Stray Cats meet the B-52s.  The result is an intriguing sound that keeps the listener engaged, as the music radiates in all directions as it shifts between genres at the speed of light.  Their first single, “Let’s be Happy,” is already getting airplay on several of LA’s biggest stations, in advance of their upcoming performance at The Satellite on September 21.  We only wish we could be there for what promises to be a great show.  At least we have this superb album to give us a taste.  All of the songs are fun and make the album a perfect candidate for repeated listens.

Recommendation:  If you live in LA, then you definitely should head over to the Satellite on September 21 to check out Fire Chief Charlie.  In the meantime, Get their latest album.

Artist Name:  The Slants

Album Name:  The Band who Must not be Named

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing: 1.  From the Heart; 2.  Fight Back; 3.  Endlessly Falling; 4.  Level Up; 5.  Sutures (acoustic)

Publicist:  In Music we Trust

Review:  The Slants, an Asian American band out of Portland, Oregon, have been trying to trademark their name for years.  This past June, they finally won their case when the Supreme Court sided with them.  Their new EP and tour are in celebration of that victory.  The first song “From the Heart,” sums it up perfectly – “We won’t become complacent.  We’re a rock and roll nation.  We sing from the heart.”  In fact, all five songs are amazing and make this a band we definitely want to check out live.  They will be playing a show at Spokane’s The Big Dipper on October 3, and we intend to be there.

Recommendation:  Believe the hype – this band is worthy of serious consideration.  We strongly advice you to Get their EP and check them out live when they come to your area.

Artist Name:  The Jerry Douglas Band

Album Name:  What If

Label:  Rounder Records

Genre:  Bluegrass

Track Listing: 1.  Cavebop; 2.  Unfolding; 3.  2:19; 4.  What If; 5.  Hey Joe; 6.  Battle Stick; 7.  Go Ahead and Leave; 8.  Butcher Boy; 9.  Freemantle; 10.  The Last Wild Moor; 11.  Hot Country 84.5

Publicist:  MSO PR

Review: Jerry Douglas has made quite a name for himself as one of America’s premier bluegrass dobro players, and most recently toured as a featured soloist with Allison Krause and Union Station.  He has now formed his own band and is releasing an album and heading out on tour.   His sound mixes elements of swing, blues, soul and rock and jazz with bluegrass and country to form his own unique blend that will further cement his place in American music, where he has already won multiple Grammys, as well as being a winner in the International Bluegrass Music Awards.  His cover of Tom Waits’ “2:19” adds new elements to this classic gem.  Other memorable songs on this collection include “Cavebop,” the title track, “Hey Joe,” “Battle Stick” (which has a reggae feel), and “Freemantle.”

Recommendation:  This one is a no-brainer – rush out and Get your copy of “What If.”  You will want to play this one non-stop.

Artist Name:  The Khourys

Album Name:  Good Stuff

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Pop

Track Listing:  1.  I Do; 2.  Good Stuff; 3.  I’m Sorry; 4.  (We’re) Only Human; 5.  Face Me; 6.  Don’t Think Twice

Publicist:  None

Review:  The Khourys, composed of sisters Jahnna and Giulia from Massachusetts, combine elements of R&B, soul, jazz and and funk to form their own brand of pop music that defies the standard genre barriers.  From the first notes of “I Do,” it becomes quickly obvious that these ladies have come to rock, and the listener is the beneficiary of their soulful and rocking tunes.  The joyous sonic journey continues with the title track, and doesn’t stop until the final note of “Don’t Think Twice.”  We were especially impressed with the stand-out jazz sound of “I’m Sorry.”  Overall, these ladies bring some of the best music this reviewer has ever heard, and which deserve serious industry attention.  They are truly the real deal and we believe they will shortly become a  household name.

Recommendation:  Run, don’t walk and GRAB this EP before it is gone.  This is one bandwagon you’re gonna want to be on.