Tag: Tommy Emmanuel

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

Get it or forget it – Old Sea Brigade, Balsam Range, NIIGHTS, Danny Lynn Wilson, Tommy Emmanuel and John Knowles

**EDITOR’S NOTE:  This article was started on Friday but not completed until Saturday.**

Happy Friday.  We’ve got some great albums for you that have all been released this month, including the latest from Tommy Emmanuel and John Knowles, which dropped today.  Enjoy this amazing collection.

Artist Name:  Old Sea Brigade

Album Name:  Ode to a Friend

Label:  Nettwerk Records

Genre:  Indie Folk/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Sinkhole; 2.  Seen a Ghost; 3.  Feel You; 4.  Resistance; 5.  Hope; 6.  Stay Up; 7.  Western Eyes; 8.  Straight Through the Sun; 9.  Want it Again; 10.  Cigarette; 11.  Ode to a Friend

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  Nashville-based and Atlanta-born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Old Sea Brigade has just released his debut full length album on Nettwerk Records.  His sound is a cross between Mumford & Sons and the Plain White T’s, with immense cross-over appeal for mainstream radio.  The songs are personal but universal, and should appeal to just about every music lover.  This is an album that is great from start to finish, with no weak or filler tracks.  Best tracks include “Seen a Ghost,” “Resistance,” “Hope,” “Western Eyes,” “Straight Through the Sun,””Want it Again” and the title track.

Recommendation:  Simply a masterpiece – go Get it today!

Artist Name:  Balsam Range

Album Name:  Aeonic

Label:  Crossroads Label

Genre:  Bluegrass/Country

Track Listing:  1.  The Girl who Invented the Wheel; 2.  Tumbleweed Town; 3.  The Rambler; 4.  Get me Gone; 5.  Hobo Blues; 6.  Help me to Hold On; 7.  Let my Life be a Light; 8.  My Cross to Bear; 9.  Graveyard Blues; 10.  Angel too Soon; 11.  If I Needed Someone

Publicist:  Crossroads Music

Review:  We introduced you to this band back in December 2017 when they released an amazing Christmas album that earned them a nomination for the LA Music Critic Awards.  This time around, they deliver 11 piping hot bluegrass tunes that feature the dynamic acoustic sound of bluegrass, along with amazing vocals and harmonies that you can sink your teeth into.  The songwriting is masterful, and the lyrics will evoke a myriad of emotions in their listeners.  We really love their bluesy songs “Hobo Blues” and “Graveyard Blues” for a truly unique take on the blues.   You can’t miss with this sterling collection of bluegrass tunes.  Put it on repeat.

Recommendation:  If you love bluegrass, this is the album for you.  It is required listening and belongs in your collection, so go Get it!

Artist Name:  NIIGHTS

Album Name:  Hellebores Part One

Label:  Tragic Hero Records

Genre:  Alt Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Intro; 2.  Generator; 3.  So Into You; 4.  Trail of Blood; 5.  Stars; 6.  Keyhole

Publicist:  Tragic Hero Music Group

Review:  Jenna Fournier and her band, NIIGHTS, have been working on this project for the past three years, and are releasing it in two parts.  Part 1 came out on January 4, and Part 2 will be released on February 15.  “Intro” is just that – an amazing aural gift that sets the stage for what follows.  On the next track, “Generator,” we are treated to the crystal clear and soaring vocals of Fournier, which rise to the stratosphere and lift this band’s music out of this world.  They also establish Fournier as one of the best and most memorable voices in rock music, right up there with Evanescence‘s Amy Lee.  The third track, “So Into You,” is a break-out hit that belongs on the radio.  “Trail of Blood” would make a great placement choice for television police procedurals.  In fact, every song on this part of the album should be considered by music supervisors for potential placement in television and film.  The link for “Stars” didn’t work, but “Keyhole” is another amazing song that is the perfect cliffhanger, leaving us itching for Part 2.

Recommendation:  Run out and Get this one and put February 15 on your calendar to grab Part 2.

One Sheet

Artist Name:  Danny Lynn Wilson

Album Name:  Peace of Mind

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Singer-songwriter Americana

Track Listing:  1.  When Will the Loving Start; 2.  Sympathy for Your Man; 3.  Peace of Mind; 4.  Long Way Home; 5.  Love Only You; 6.  Middle Class Blues; 7.  Shine is Off; 8.  Arkansas Trotter; 9.  High Water; 10.  No Wales; 11.  Fuss ‘n Fight; 12.  Too Many Hounds; 13.  Galway Bay

Publicist:  Frank Roszak Promotions

Review:  Danny Lynn Wilson’s solo release Peace of Mind has the simple easy-going style of great singer-songwriters.  His gravelly voice fits perfectly with the lyric-driven songs, soothing the soul of his listeners, reminiscent of the best of Kris Kristoffersen.  These are songs that are memorable and will stay with the listener long after the track ends.  Every song is worthy of repeated listens, so enjoy these timeless tracks.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one.

Artist Name:  Tommy Emmanuel and John Knowles

Album Name:  Heart Songs

Label:  CGP Sounds/Thirty Tigers

Genre:  Instrumental

Track Listing:  1.  Cold, Cold Heart; 2.  How Deep is Your Love; 3.  I Can’t Stop Loving You; 4.  Somewhere; 5.  I can let go Now; 6.  Lullabye (Goodnight, my Angel); 7.  After Paris; 8.  Walkin’ my Baby Back Home; 9.  I Can’t Make you Love Me; 10.  Where is Love; 11.  He Ain’t Heavy, He’s my Brother; 12.  Eva Waits; 13.  Turning Home (live); 14.  How Deep is Your Love (live)

Publicist:  MSO PR

Review:  We have previously reviewed Tommy Emmanuel twice in this column.  The first one was an album with David Grisman that earned him a win for Best Bluegrass Artist in the LA Music Critic Awards.  The second time was a series of duets with some of the best musicians in the Americana and bluegrass genre.  This time around he turns in an amazing instrumental album with John Knowles which features 10 covers ranging from Broadway tunes to country legends, two originals and two live recordings.  FYI, Emmanuel and Knowles are two of only three Certified Guitar Players (“CGP”), a designation given them by the late great Chet Atkins.  This music will truly soothe your soul as the sweet tones wash away your cares.  Keep this one playing throughout your day, or use it to relax after a tough day.  You will want to play them again and again.

Recommendation:  Run out and Get this one and put it on repeat.

 

 

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

Get it or forget it – Tommy Emmanuel, Maria Schafer, Carolyn Gaines, Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers, Frank Hannon

Since the winners of the LA Music Critic Awards for the second half of 2017 will be announced tomorrow at 6 p.m. MST, today will be our final Get it or Forget it for the week.  We have five more reviews today and then we’ll be back next Tuesday.

Artist Name:  Tommy Emmanuel

Album Name:  Accomplice One

Label:  CGP Sounds

Genre:  Americana/Bluegrassd

Track Listing:  1.  Deep River Blues (w/Jason Isbell); 2.  Song and Dance Man (w/Ricky Skaggs); 3.  Saturday Night Shuffle (w/Jorma Kaukonen & Pat Bergeson); 4.  Wheelin’ & Dealin’ (w/J.D. Simo & Charlie Cushman); 5.  C-Jam Blues (w/David Grisman & Bryan Sutton); 6.  (Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay (w/J.D. Simo); 7.  Borderline (w/Amanda Shires); 8.  You Don’t Want to get you one of Those (w/Mark Knopfler); 9.  Keepin’ it Reel (w/Clive Carrol); 10.  Looking Forward to the Past (w/Rodney Crowell); 11.  Purple Haze (w/Jerry Douglas); 12.  Rachel’s Lullaby (w/Jake Shimabukuro); 13. Djangology (w/Frank Vignola & Vinny Ranioio); 14.  Watson Blues (w/David Grisman & Bryan Sutton); 15.  Tittle Tattle (w/Jack Pearson); 16.  The Duke’s Message (w/Suzy Bogguss)

Publicist:  MSO PR

Review:  Tommy Emmanuel is a one of a kind musician who has consistently received critical praise.  We just reviewed his last CD with David Grisman last December, which earned him an LA Music Critic Award nomination.  He’s back already with an incredible album of duets with some of the elite members of the Bluegrass and Americana community.  From Jason Isbell to Rodney Crowell, Emmanuel plays with the best because he is the best.  This is an album you put on and just sit back and relax.  You cannot go wrong with this set of 16 amazing genre spanning songs.  Especially impressive are the covers of some very well known songs, like “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay,” the amazing fiddle and vocals of Amanda Shires on Madonna’s “Borderline,” and Jimi Hendrix’ “Purple Haze” with the one and only Jerry Douglas, another nominee for an LA Music Critic Award and a recent Grammy nominee.

Recommendation:  This one belongs in the music library of every music lover.  Get it now!

Artist Name:  Maria Schafer

Album Name:  To Know Love

Label:  Marsch Music

Genre:  Jazz

Track Listing:  1.  You Don’t Know What Love Is; 2.  The More I see You; 3.  Estrada Branca; 4.  I Fall in Love too Easily; 5.  Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered; 6.  In Summer (Estate); 7.  You’d be so Nice to Come Home to/Alone Together; 8.  Body and Soul; 9.  It Could Happen to You; 10.  Almost Like Being in Love; 11.  Lush Life; 12.  S’ Wonderful/They Can’t Take That Away From Me

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  This unbelievable debut album shows so much maturity for a young vocalist.  To tackle these jazz standards and deliver says a lot about her talent and potential.  This is the sound you would expect from a seasonal veteran, not someone just releasing their first album.  As an avid jazz lover, this album will definitely go into our top tier of jazz greats.  We love the concept of an entire album full of love songs, just before Valentine’s Day.  This album will make a great soundtrack for your celebration, especially her rendition of the Loewe and Lerner classic “Almost Like Being in Love.”

Recommendation:  Don’t hesitate – Get it now!

Artist Name:  Carolyn Gaines

Album Name:  Beware of my Dog

Label:  Polka Dot Records

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Beware of my Dog; 2.  I’m Your Cat, Baby; 3.  Stone out Your Raggly Mind; 4.  Catch That Train; 5.  Hoochie Coochie Woman; 6.  Done got Old; 7.  I Want Your Money, Honey; 8.  Mr. Dill Pickle; 9.  Jerry Rice “Busy Man;” 10.  Charlie Mae & Chicago; 11.  Something on Your Mind

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  Another amazing debut album and it quickly becomes apparent that this lady can definitely sing the blues.  Her husky register is custom built for the blues, and floats effortlessly on the incredible musical accompaniment, highlighted by bursts of incredible tenor sax, harmonica, organ and guitar.  Check out her sexy raspy voice on “I’m Your Cat, Baby” and even though her voice is unique, her style shows that she has spent considerable time studying the blues vocalist that have come before her.  This is down and dirty blues, and we couldn’t be happier.  This album will make all the traditional blues lovers feel the same.  Put this on as a musical backdrop for your weekend celebration.

Recommendation:  Don’t think twice – just Get up and Get it!

Artist Name:  Lex Grey & the Urban Pioneers

Album Name:  Usual Suspects

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Blues Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Usual Suspects; 2.  Chow Down; 3.  Dirty Secret; 4.  Srv; 5.  Warrior Squaw; 6.  Sunshine and Blue; 7.  Cheap Thrills; 8.  My Jelly Roll; 9.  Renegade Heart

Publicist:  Frank Roszak Promotions

Review:  Listening to Lex Grey is almost like listening to Janis Joplin playing the 1960’s style of Rolling Stones, with a healthy mix of rock, jazz, and blues, and those smoky vocals that grab your attention and never let go.  From the first notes of the title track until the final note of the album, Grey gives notice that she has come to rock the blues.  Quite frankly, we can’t get enough of this artist, and can’t wait for the opportunity to see her and her amazing band perform live.  Our favorite cuts were “Usual Suspects, “Chow Down,” “Srv” (her rocking homage to Stevie Ray Vaughan),  “Warrior Squaw” (because it’s just so different from everything else on the album), “Cheap Thrills,” “My Jelly Roll,” and “Renegade Heart.” (I know – basically everything.)

Recommendation:  If you love the blues, you definitely need this one in your collection.  Get It.

Artist Name:  Frank Hannon

Album Name:  From One Place . . . to Another Vol 1

Label:  Red Hawk Records

Genre:  Americana/Roots Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Blue Sky; 2.  Call me the Breeze; 3.  Under the Milky Way; 4.  Jim Dandy to the Rescue; 5.  You’re my Best Friend; 6.  Garden Party; 7.  Sunrise in Texas; 8.  I Hear you Knockin’; 9.  Joy to the World; 10.  Four Letter Word

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  This is the first of three albums to be released in 2018 by Tesla guitarist Frank Hannon, consisting of cover songs that have influenced his life.  His guests on this album include Paul Jackson (Blackberry Smoke), Duane Betts (son of The Allman Brothers Band member Dickey Betts, Matthew and Gunnar Nelson (sons of Ricky Nelson and Roger Fisher (Heart), among others.  It is only fitting that The Allman Brothers Band’s classic “Blue Sky” be the first song on this album, which captures the essence of what made them so great.  The artists covered on this album include JJ Cale, The Church, Black Oak Arkansas, Queen, Ricky Nelson, Blackberry Smoke, Fats Domino, Three Dog Night and Lukas Nelson.  Every song brings back memories, and we love Hannon’s arrangements.

Recommendation:  Make sure you Get this one and the other two as soon as they come out.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018 – vol. 3

Welcome to the third week of 2018.  We have enjoyed so much music already this year, and look forward to what is still to come.  We’ve got some news for you today, as well as three new singles and three new music videos for you to check out.  Here we go!

BANDSINTOWN ANNOUNCES “BIG BREAK” EMERGING ARTIST PROGRAM

The concert discovery app Bandsintown has announced a new data-driven program called “Big Break.”  The first bands selected are Foxtrax from Los Angeles, Minke from London, Peach Pit from Vancouver and Sisters from Seattle.

Artists selected will receive promotion across Bandsintown’s digital newtwork, as well as customized editorial, in-app features, brand partnerships tour and special showcase opportunities, and social media promotion.  The program will spotlight 50 artists during the coming year.

Artists will be selected from those using the Bandsintown app, so create your account today if you want to be considered.

DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR COMPETITION

The Unsignedonly.com competition, open to any indie artist not signed to a major label, is drawing to a close.  The deadline for entry is this Wednesday, January 24, 2018.   Prizes include a Grand Prize of $20,000, plus mentoring by record label executives, top industry managers, major booking agencies and more.

Categories include AAA (Adult Album Alternative), AC (Adult Contemporary), Americana, Christian, Country, EDM, Folk/Singer- Songwriter, R&B/Hip-Hop, Rock, Pop/Top 40, Screen Shot (songs suitable for placement in film/TV/advertising/gaming), Teen (artists 18 years old or younger) and Vocal Performance.

You can enter by clicking here.

NEW SINGLES

First up today is “Warning Signs,” a single set to be released this Friday by Italian songwriter An Early Bird.  Let us know what you think.

Our second single is actually a double release, “For You”/”Por Ti” and comes courtesy of Nina Diaz, the lead singer of punk rock trio Girl in a Coma.  The first song is English and the second is the Spanish adaptation.  We think you’ll like this one.

Our last new single for you today is from Santa Cruz based punk rock band Craig’s Brother, and is their first new song in seven years.  Check out “Meilynn’s Song,” from their new IVM compilation Family & Friends Sampler.

https://soundcloud.com/indievisionmusic/craigs-brother-meilynns-song/s-rdbQ9

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Moving on to some new videos, check out this amazing one from Scarlett Taylor for her song “I Can Fly.”  It’s a dark tune with an impressive musical soundtrack.  Let us know what you think.

Our second video is a lot more upbeat and features some stirring cinematography of the Calgary skyline.  Check out “Follow Me” from The Raven and the Fox.

Our final video today is from the new Accomplice One album by Tommy Emmanuel, which we will be reviewing shortly.  Here’s he joined by Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo on the song, “Djangology,” which was recorded at the Abdala Studio in Havana, Cuba.  Have a great week!

 

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

Get it or forget it – Tommy Emmanuel and David Grisman, Robert Francis, Kansas, Leslie Clio, King Park

And the quest to complete 2017 review requests continues with another five for you today, including the spectacular live release by the one and only Kansas.  I know we normally don’t review major label acts, but who could pass up the opportunity to review one of the greatest bands ever?  We think you’ll understand when you check it out.  Here we go.

Artist Name:  Tommy Emmanuel and David Grisman

Album Name:  Pickin’

Label:  Acoustic Disc Records

Genre:  Bluegrass

Track Listing:  1.  Zorro’s Last Ride; 2.  Cinderella’s Fella; 3.  CGP & Dawg; 4.  Farm & Fun Time; 5.  Newly Wedding; 6.  Sweet Georgia Brown; 7.  Standing Rock; 8.  Dawg’s Waltz; 9.  Tipsy Gypsy; 10.  Tracy’s Tune; 11.  Port Townsend Blues; 12.  Waltzing Matilda

Publicist:  MSO PR

Review:  Two of the world’s premier musicians, guitarist Tommy Emmanuel aka CGP and mandolinist David Grisman aka Dawg have combined their talents on this amazing album of acoustic and bluegrass originals and covers.  This is the album for true music lovers, especially those who love the sound of guitar picking and mandolin.  This album is a total treat from start to finish.  We especially love the covers of “Sweet Georgia Brown” and “Waltzing Matilda,” and their original “Tipsy Gypsy,” but you can’t go wrong with any song on this album.

Recommendation:  If you truly love the art of making music, then this album is a must-have.  Get it now!

Artist Name:  Robert Francis

Album Name:  Indian Summer

Label:  Aeronaut Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  The Brand; 2.  Burn Out; 3.  Goldwing; 4.  Unspoken Rule; 5.  This Old House; 6.  Forgiveness is a Destination; 7.  The Magic; 8.  Modoc County; 9.  Joseph Campau; 10.  Dark Windows; 11.  Shots Ring Out; 12.  Indian Summer; 13.  Flatlining

Publicist:  Perpetual Media Relations

Review:  One of the things that makes this album from Robert Francis stand out is that he played every instrument on the album, and also produced it along with Marc Gabor.  This is a rare trait in musicians.  There are a lot of multi-instrumentalists out there, but few who can write, sing and play all the necessary instruments.  The music has a 60’s vibe with strong influence from Jim Morrison and The Doors, making these extremely well written songs all the more worthy of industry attention.  These songs go well as a musical backdrop for a weekend party, especially for us baby boomers.    Best tracks include “Burn Out,” “Goldwing,” “Unspoken Rule,” “This Old House,” “The Magic,” “Modoc County,” “Joseph Campau,” “Dark Windows,” and “Indian Summer.”

Recommendation:  An amazing effort from an amazing musician – definitely Get this one.

Artist Name:  Kansas

Album Name:  Leftoverture Live & Beyond

Label:  Inside Out Music

Genre:  Classic Rock/Prog Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Icarus II; 2.  Icarus; 3.  Point of Know Return; 4.  Paradox; 5.  Journey from Mariabronn; 6.  Lamplight Symphony; 7.  Dust in the Wind; 8.  Rhythm in the Spirit; 9.  The Voyage of Eight Eighteen; 10.  Section 60; 11.  Carry on Wayward Son; 12.  The Wall; 13.  What’s on my Mind; 14.  Miracles out of Nowhere; 15.  Opus Insert; 16.  Questions of my Childhood; 17.  Cheyenne Anthem; 18.  Magnum Opus; 19.  Portrait (He Knew)

Publicist:  Big Picture Media

Review:  Kansas has been a mainstay in rock music for almost a half-century, and was one of the pioneers of prog rock.  It is only fitting that they recorded their concert tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of their seminal and best selling album, Leftoverture.  Producer Jeff Glixman, who also produced the original album, pulled these 19 songs from 12 different shows that were recorded during the tour.  The songs include some of the band’s greatest hits, deep cuts not previously played live, tunes from their last studio album The Prelude Implicit, as well as the entirety of Leftoverture.  The result is a little slice of audio heaven that is sure to bring back memories for those of us who have been around to see this band develop into one of the greatest bands ever.  Steve Walsh and Kerry Livgren, the band’s principle songwriters, have given so much to rock and roll and music in general, and this live album proves that Kansas is still as great today as they were when they formed back in 1973.

Recommendation:  Don’t even think about it – you simply must Get your copy today!

Artist Name:  Leslie Clio

Album Name:  Purple Unplugged

Label:  Embassy of Music

Genre:  Soul/Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Survivor; 2.  Game Changer; 3.  Lies are Gold; 4.  Why Cry; 5.  Riot

Publicist:  Guerilla Music Promotion

Review:  Tackling a cover by Destiny Child is a daunting task for the most seasoned vocalist, yet Leslie Clio pulls it off without a hitch.  We like her laid-back approach to “Survivor” and lyrical updates and think this is just the icing on the cake that is the potential for Clio.  Her keys and vocal arrangement of “Game Changer” is just that, and barely prepares you for the amazing conclusion of the track.  “Lies of Gold” is a haunting R&B masterpiece that would be perfect for placement in television or film.  “Why Cry” and “Riot” are both deserving of radio airplay now, and are reminiscent of Kelly Clarkson.  This is an artist to keep an eye on, because she has the chops to soon stand shoulder to shoulder with Beyoncé and Clarkson.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one.

Artist Name:  King Park

Album Name:  The Light I Can’t See

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Alternative Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Stay; 2.  Grey; 3.  Words; 4.  Him

Publicist:  Auteur Research

Review:  With a rousing rock sound like Linkin Park meets Soundgarten and Blue October. King Park is a band that possesses strong writing skills, raw and emotional vocals, and a message that will resound and resonate long after the song has ended.  All four songs are memorable, and even music lovers who don’t necessarily dig alternative rock should find something they like in their sound.  The lyrics are so well crafted and delivered that they could stand alone as poetry, and the rocking accompaniment implants the words in your brain, creating an earwig that won’t die.  In our humble opinion, these guys are Grammy bound, and should soon dominate the alternative rock community.

Recommendation:  We highly recommend that you get up and Get this one!