Category: Reviews

Reviews of music albums, singles or videos.

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Corinne Cook is ‘Dressed Up for Goodbye’

Corinne Cook may not be familiar to you, yet, but with the power of her latest CD, Dressed Up for Goodbye, she soon will be.  With a voice reminiscent of early Faith Hill, and the sassiness of Kellie Pickler, Cook is making a name for herself in Music City.

The title of the album is ironic in that although it is full of songs about heartbreak and goodbye, it also serves to say hello to a dynamic new voice on the indie country music scene.  Cook has had some success from her earlier albums, including a #1 song (“Uninvited Guest”) and a #4 song (“I’m Not Shy”) on the Inside Country chart.  

Unlike when she recorded her first two albums and lived in California, Cook now resides in Music City.  As such, she had more time to spend on the entire process of writing and recording.  This also allowed her to choose and record songs that not only did she like but which also allowed her to share chapters of her life story.

 Another advantage to living in Nashville was the opportunity to work with its elite songwriters and studio musicians.  Among those elite are The Warren Brothers (Brett and Brad), who wrote or co-wrote six of the tracks, and her producer, Denny Martin, who co-wrote three more.  The final two tracks she found through the Song Matchmakers Network.  Of those two tracks, “I Don’t,” a powerful duet with Paul Scott, a former opera singer, is one of the best tracks on the album.  Other songs worthy of consideration include the title track, “Little Miss Understanding” and “Who.”

According to her official bio, Cook was born in Walnut Creek and raised in the Central California towns of Tracy and Escalon, surrounded by a family that was intensely musical.  According to Cook, she doesn’t “remember a time when I wasn’t singing.”  Her family had many jam sessions with her mom on guitar, her step-dad on bass and her brother using the chairs for drum while she sang.  Although initially too shy to perform in public, she overcame that shyness and began performing in choir from middle school on, as well as solo performances in high school.  Singing also became a part of her time in the Air Force where she served four years during the Gulf War.

After she was discharged, she returned to California where she began singing at festivals in Northern California while working part-time as a radio DJ for classic country station 93.9 “The Ranch” in Ripon.  “Ranch Hand Jane,” as she was known, also hosted karaoke for the station at various venues, and introduced legendary country artists like Charlie Daniels and Johnny Lee when they performed in town. 

Cook later moved to Mt. Juliet, a small town about 20 miles east of Nashville, so she could focus on developing her career as a singer.  She participated in local community theatre productions while also performing at various songwriter nights in the Nashville area.  “I definitely enjoy performing live,” she says, “but my absolute favorite part of being an artist is being in the studio, feeling the energy and feeding off the creativity of all of these great musicians. Performing my vocals on top of all that during the sessions for Dressed Up For Goodbye was exhilarating and I can’t wait to go back in and start my next project!” 

“The biggest difference between my earlier albums and Dressed Up For Goodbye is the fact that on those, I didn’t have the opportunity to choose the songs I wanted to record,” continued Cook.  “I was able to pick some songs that applied to my life but overall because of the circumstances of my recording deals, I was not able to really paint a full portrait of who I am.  My new album is a much more vibrant and personal expression.  These 11 new tunes all reflect different parts of my life, and many situations and scenarios that I have actually experienced, from the strength and confidence of the ‘don’t mess around with me’ vibe of “Little Miss Understanding” through the vulnerability and heartbreak of the title song.”

Cook is an artist who is definitely worth checking out, while her new CD should be enjoyed with an ice-cold beer or a shot of Jack.

For more about this artist, check out her website and Facebook pages, follow her on ReverbNation, Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to her Soundcloud account, where you can stream her latest CD.  Her music is also available for download on iTunes, Amazon Music and Google Play.

 

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‘Hot ‘n’ Throbbing’ brings much needed message to Missoula

Domestic violence is an epidemic that has impacted our country in many ways.  According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.  Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.  In particular, 72% of all murder-suicides involve an intimate partner, and 92% of the time, the victim is female.

Playwright Paula Vogel has written a very powerful and moving play, Hot ‘n’ Throbbing, to bring these numbers to life.  Skillfully directed by Jillian Campana, and produced by the University of Montana School of Theatre & Dance in the Masquer Theatre, the show pulls out all the stops and presents these facts in an undeniable and unforgettable way that makes a lasting impression on the   Feataudience.

Working with Scenic Designer Mike Monsos, Costume Designer Bayne Tilton, Lighting Designer Megan Nishida and Audio Designer Cole Milligan, Campana has directed a masterpiece of theater that does what theater and art in general should do – shed light on a social issue.

The amazing cast features Jourdan Nokleby in the lead role of Charlene, living with her kids Calvin (Treyson Sherk) and Leslie Ann (Jenna Lockman), after leaving her husband Clyde (Kurtis Hassinger).  Charlene is a screenwriter of adult entertainment catered to women, and her screenplays are visualized and acted out in the form of two actors – Voice-Over (Alyssa Berdahl) and The Voice (Jake Bender).  This is a true ensemble cast, and every performer is worthy of recognition.

Without giving away the story, Charlene works hard to make a living for her family, while discovering the painful truth of trying to be an effective single parent to teenagers.  Her fateful mistake is allowing her drunken husband inside the house “to talk.”

Regardless of your stance on the issue of domestic violence, this play will give you something to think about, and this reviewer highly recommends it for its sheer power in storytelling.

The show continues at the University March 1-4 at 7:30 p.m. and on March 5 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are available at the UMArts Box Office or online at umt.edu/theatredance.

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Big Sky Documentary Film Festival another success

The 13th annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (“BSDFF”) concluded on February 28 after a successful 10-day run at multiple venues in Missoula, including their flagship at the newly remodeled Wilma, the Crystal, the Roxy, the Top Hat and Shakespeare & Company.

Besides screening more than 100 films, this year’s BSDFF included two different five day series of lectures and workshops, including Schoolhouse Docs for kids, held at first-time venue the Roxy, and DocShop, which featured lectures and a pitch session for filmmakers to present their ideas for future projects.

The Festival included a live concert by Lydia Loveless, an up and coming alt-country performer and the subject of the documentary Who is Lydia Loveless?, also shown during the Festival, as well as numerous Q&A sessions with filmmakers, cast and crew following screenings of their respective films.

BSDFF relies heavily on the use of volunteers, who staff many of the events and provide numerous services during the Festival.  This writer was once again fortunate enough to be one of those volunteers, staffing the Wilma for three shifts as well as a shift at the DocShop session on Tuesday.

The Festival opened on February 19 with a screening of Mavis!, sponsored by HBO Now.  In addition, Sundance Now debuted their new Doc Club, a Netflix-like service for documentary film lovers.

One of the highlights of the Festival was the screening of the top 12 finalists in the Fusion Doc Challenge, which give filmmakers a subject, a genre, and five days to completely write, film and edit a short (4-7 minute) documentary.  One of the films, Don’t Call me Cute, caught the attention of this reviewer, as it was about sexism in the music business.  Watch for a follow-up article on this one.

Another featured film was the world premier of Tear the Roof Off:  The Untold Story of Parliament Funkadelic.  This provocative film by Bobby J. Brown featured the back story of the creation of P-Funk, as well as allegations of former members regarding their treatment by George Clinton.  The Q&A afterwards featured Brown as well as original bassist Billy “Bass” Nelson, “Tear the Roof Off” co-songwriter Jerome “Bigfoot” Brailey, and former Bride of Funkenstein member Satori Shakoor.  The Q&A was so successful that it delayed the next screening by 30 minutes.

courtesy of Bobby J. Brown
courtesy of Bobby J. Brown

If Only I was That Warrior was a documentary regarding the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935, and the controversy over a monument to Fascist General Rodolfo Graziani, a war criminal during the reign of Mussolini.  The documentary was well done and the follow-up Q&A with director Valerio Ciriaci was very informative.

Hats off to Festival director Gita Saedi Kiely and her amazing staff who once again pulled off a phenomenal festival.  For more info, check out their website and Facebook pages.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

Morgan Washam’s ‘Blood Moon’ is pure classic rock

“Classic rock” is more than just a musical genre.  It encapsulates a sound and a generation where social ills were addressed in powerful lyrics over a screaming guitar riff.  It is not ashamed of its country roots, and incorporates elements of bluegrass, country and folk into its mix. 

Morgan Washam has captured that sound with his debut solo record, Blood Moon, which was released in September 2015.  Like true classic rock, his music combines the essence of folk, country, blues, rock and jazz under the Americana umbrella, while his lyrical content is inspired by his life experiences as well as his views on spiritual and political events.

Washam is a singer/songwriter and guitarist hailing from the Appalachian hills of Ohio who has been performing music since the age of 11 when he first picked up his mom’s guitar.   During his early career he played in many groups, with the most notable being the jam band Peach Melba with whom he toured throughout the Midwestern United States from 1996 until 2004, when the group disbanded.  During that time, the group recorded three albums.

Washam is a big advocate of music education, and has spent much of his free time working with youth in public schools, teaching and inspiring them to immerse themselves creatively in the arts through music.  He also worked with his home town arts advocacy organization, helping them to renovate a performance theater.

In 2007, Morgan launched his own production house called Wildwood Media.  The company continues to produce creative projects for regional artists as well as for educators and organizations throughout southern Ohio.

From the first notes of “On Down the Road,” the listener will think he has stumbled onto a classic track by The Marshall Tucker Band, The Allman Brothers or Lynyrd Skynyrd.  This sense of familiarity permeates the album and makes it seem like you are listening to an old friend instead of a new artist.

 This album is worthy of repeated listens.  The lyrical content is full of meat and words to ponder, unlike so much fluff in today’s music scene.  We highly recommend our viewers check out this artist and enjoy Blood Moon for what it is:  a true classic.  The music is available for streaming on Spotify and for download through Google Music, iTunes and Amazon Music.

For more info, you can check out his website and Facebook pages, follow him on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to his YouTube channel.

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Ryal’s new EP brings back the beat

New York City has always been on the cutting edge of musical direction, but the release today of Ryal‘s self-titled EP raises that bar to a new level.  Although critics of her earlier releases have likened Ryal to the style of Bjork and Portishead, her latest contribution is more akin to an electronica version of ABBA, combined with a little Lady Gaga.  Like “Dancing Queen” and “Bad Romance,” the songs on this EP will keep your toes tapping and compel you to the dance floor.

Along with the release of the EP, Ryal has also released a music video for “Lonely Love,” which is one of the best this reviewer has seen in a while.

“My wish is that people will listen to this and want to dance as much as I have while I have made this record,” says Ryal.

All six songs on the EP are amazing, but two songs especially stand out.  The first is the opening track, “City Lives,”  which opens with a steady beat and the words “Who you gonna be?  Who you gonna love?”  This song truly rocks and makes it is difficult to sit still while listening.

The other outstanding song is “Lonely Love.”  I dare you to try to sit still for this one as well.  Check out the video above.

Ryal added these words:  “It’s easier to write a depressing song, but more of a challenge to be optimistic, and attempt writing timeless numbers that also give the listener positive feelings. I don’t want to make pop songs full of fluff, but  rather make songs full of content that resonates with my age group.”

Ryal has also received a lot of attention from two other songs on the EP, “Wish” and “Jill.”  Speaking of “Jill,” you can hear the song when you visit your local Starbucks nationally.

You can check out the entire EP, which is currently streaming on Sundcloud.  If ever there was a “must-have” album for 2016, Ryal’s new EP is the one.

For more info on Ryal, check out her website and Facebook pages, follow her on Twitter, and subscribe to her YouTube and Soundcloud channels.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

shirlette ammons shatters barriers with latest release

shirlette ammons is set to release Language Barrier, her sophomore CD on Friday, February 5 on SugarQube Records, in conjunction with Durham, North Carolina based Churchkey Records.  SugarQube is the brainchild of ammons and her twin sister Shorlette.

“shirlette is such a fantastic artist, and we’ve wanted to work on a record with her for years—we’re thrilled and flattered to be working together with the Ammons twins as they launch SugarQube Records,” explains Kyle Miller and Steve Jones of Churchkey Records.

What barriers does the release shatter?  Well, for starters, the barrier between indie and mainstream artists.  This release features ammons with several top tier mainstream artists, including Grammy winning duo The Indiego Girls, Amelia Meath, German rapper sokkee and Meshell Ndegeocello.

“To have an opportunity to work with Meshell, The Indigo Girls, Amelia, Hiss Golden Messenger—and all on one record—is a dream come true,” ammons says.

The release also shatters the genre barrier, as it seamlessly flows from one style to another, including indie and classic rock, hip hop and ambient.

“As a part of the whole Language Barrier concept, I wanted to write an album that explores the ways we love across imposed and implied barriers.  In this sense, Language Barrier is an album about love as an act of resistance.  I also wanted to approach genre as a ‘barrier’ then break it down.”

All of the music was composed by Daniel Hart, who has worked with such diverse artists as St. Vincent and Broken Social Scene.

Leave your biases about indie music behind and give a listen to this great new release.  Find out more by checking out her website and Facebook pages, following her on Twitter and Soundcloud, and subscribing to her YouTube channel.

 

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Montana Rep’s All my Sons hits the mark

Once again the Montana Repertory Theatre has proven that they know how to present good theater.  Their current production of Arthur Miller’s All my Sons delivers on every front, both visually and emotionally.  Despite the fact that it was written in 1947, at a time when America was coming out of a devastating world war, the play is just as relevant today as it was then.

Flawlessly directed by Jere Lee Hodgin, All my Sons should be considered one of the best productions in the history of the Montana Rep.  With the assistance of scenic designer Mike Fink, costume designer Christina L. Milodragovich, lighting designer Michael Monsos and audio designer Zach Hamersly, and under the spot-on stage management of Hope Rose Kelly, Hodgin transports his audience to a simpler time when hard work and patriotism were honorable traits worthy of pursuit.  Underlying that theme is the timeless truth that sooner or later, the truth will come out.

Even with the dynamic behind the scenes work of Hodgin, Fink, Milodragovich, Mnsos and Hamersly, it takes a great cast to bring out the truth of this work, and the cast of All my Sons definitely fits that bill.  Led by Equity members Mike Boland as Joe Keller, Laurie Dawn as Kate Keller and Meg Kiley Smith as Anne Deever, coupled with locals Colton Swibold as Chris Keller, Mason Wagner as George Deever, Scoob Decker as Dr. Jim Bayliss, Cahilan Shine as Sue Bayliss, Sam Williamson as Frank Lubey, Elizabeth Bennett as Lydia Lubey and Heidi Williamson as Bertie, every member of this ensemble contributes to the success of the production.

This show has a particularly special meaning to this reviewer, as it was one of the first shows he performed at Riverside (California) Community Theater, where he portrayed the role of Frank Lubey.  Watching the Montana Rep production, the words of the play kept coming back to him, as the story progressed.

While this is a true ensemble piece, the work of several members went above and beyond, delivering truly epic performances worthy of recognition.  Among those who truly delivered were Swibold, Dawn, Boland and Smith.  Swibold made us believe in the utter goodness of his character who has lived his whole life believing in someone and something, only to find out it was all a mirage.  Dawn showed us that sometimes the person who seems to be out of touch with reality is the only one who truly understands the situation.  Boland showed us that even if we have the best of intentions, when we cut corners it will eventually catch up to us, while Smith showed us that living with a secret makes us do things that are not always in our best interests.

Despite the fact that All my Sons is a tragedy, the true tragedy would be in not learning the underlying message of the show, and in not enjoying this amazing performance.  You still have four chances to check it out, with shows at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 30, and at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 4 and Saturday, February 6.  You can purchase tickets online or at the UMArts Box Office in the PAR/TV building at the University of Montana.

 

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Katie Costello is a true rebel singer-songwriter

A few years back, Katie Costello became somewhat of a legend among independent artists when she created an entire music video from her iPhone 4.

After what seems like an eternity, Costello has returned with a new EP that is easily one of the best of 2015.  Her new five-track EP, Rebel Pop Singer Songwriter, has been released on a limited basis, but belongs in the hands of every serious music lover.

According to Costello,”This EP is about following your dreams, fighting for what’s right, listening to your heart, and connecting to a bigger picture . . . This EP is dedicated towards the mission of  building a “New World” filled with love, one step at a time.”

With tracks produced by Robbie G (New York Graffiti, New World and Roses) and Seth Jones (Up in the Air and Why Does my Heart Break?) and written by Costello with help from Robert Guariglia (New York Graffiti, New World and Roses), Seth Jones and Michelle Lewis (Up in the Air) and Seth Jones (Why Does my Heart Break?), every song delivers its message in a way that few other artists have mastered – from the heart of the writer directly to the heart of the listener.

She has also released a video for the first track, “New York Graffiti,” which captures some of the magic of an indie artist who isn’t afraid to busk in New York’s Washington Square Park.  Check it out below:

Throughout her career, Costello has consistently delivered some of the best content of any musical artist, signed or not.  Her latest EP is just further proof that her music belongs to the masses.  Thank you Ms. Costello for restoring our faith in the power of music to change our lives and make this a better world.

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UK’s Fraser Jane releases music video for ‘Enough’

Fraser Jane is an Irish production based songstress who has spent the past three years learning the art of self production while living in London.   Her vivid imagination and style remind this reviewer of a cross between Bjork and Enya, although others have also compared her to Imogene Heap and Kate Bush.  Despite these comparisons, this songwriter is blazing her own unique trail with a sound and style all her own.

Fraser grew up in a musical household.  Although her first foray into the artistic community was as a dancer, her love and desire for music caused her to abandon that career path and focus instead on singing, writing and creating her own music.

She embarked on her first solo tour in the summer of 2014, playing dates throughout her native Ireland, including Whelans in Dublin and the Cork Jazz Festival.

Her first album Enough was released earlier this year.  She has now released a video highlighting the title track, an alt-pop song that runs the gamut from tribal drums to uplifting string arrangements, climaxing in a stirring vocal finale.  The video itself also brings back memories of another breakthrough video, Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer,” with its quirky graphics and theme, which serve to underscore the lyrical content.

Legendary producer Gary Katz, famous for his work with Steely Dan and for discovering such notable acts as Chaka Khan, Rufus, Jimmy Buffett and Jim Croce, recently had this to say about Fraser Jane:  “Every once in a while, not very often, I hear an artist that is creating distinctive original music that makes my ears perk up and my foot tap.  Fraser Jane is one of those artists.”

If you like original music which stands on its own in a cookie-cutter world, then Fraser Jane may be just the artist for you.  Learn more about her by checking out her website and Facebook pages, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to her YouTube and SoundCloud channels.

 

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Lyndzie Taylor’s Phoenix is the perfect vehicle for her musical rebirth

Colorado native Lyndzie Taylor is set to capture the Los Angeles music scene with the release of her new EP Phoenix.  Produced by Mallory Trunnell (one half of the alt-country duo Crimson Calamity), Phoenix allows Taylor to spotlight her true musical talents.

Taylor grew up on the music of 80’s female rockers like Joan Jett and Pat Benatar, and her latest offering provides notice to the world that Taylor belongs in that same category.  All five songs on the EP are impressive, beginning with the first electronic notes of “What do I Know” and lasting until the final note of the title track.

Taylor moved to Los Angeles to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, majoring in Musical Theater and Voice Performance.  Along the way she met Trunnell and Lauren Harding (the other half of Crimson Calamity), as well as other female voices in LA’s indie music scene.  Taylor’s early career could be classified as “singer-songwriter,” and she excelled in that genre.  Now, however, under the direction of Trunnell, Phoenix announces to the world that Taylor has arrived as a true voice on the indie rock scene.

“My music is loud, bold and in your face,” admits Taylor.  “It felt good to match my creative expression with my personality in the studio.”

Definitely falling into that category are tracks 1 (“What do I Know”) and 4 (“Let’s Get Loud”), while tracks 3 (“Rain”) and 5 (“Phoenix”) show a softer but no less powerful side of her musical prowess.

Taylor envisions making a mark as a fiery voice in the LA music scene.  “The emotional core of my music is strength, as a person, as a woman and as an artist.”  We definitely agree.

For those of you fortunate enough to live in Los Angeles, Taylor will be celebrating the release of Phoenix with a record release show at 10 p.m. on December 2 at Club Moscow @ Boardners in Hollywood.  We strongly encourage you to check her out live.  If you can’t wait, you can download her music now from iTunes.

For more info on this amazing artist, check out her Facebook page, follow her on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to her YouTube channel.