Thanks for checking us out this week. Since so many of the reviews we do are of artists we’ve previously featured, we are proud to debut the other half of our Treats reviews. That’s right, you get two Treats every week – Tuesday and Thursday. Here are today’s delightful quintet.
Artist Name: Diana Rein
Album Name: Queen of my Castle
Label: Gulf Coast Records
Genre: Blues
Track Listing: 1. Yes, I Sing the Blues; 2. Worth; 3. Walking Away; 4. The Midnight Line; 5. Time’s Ticking Away; 6. Queen of my Castle; 7. Pure Soul; 8. One Foot In; 9. My Love; 10. It’s You; 11. In the Chill of the Night; 12. I Can’t Quit You; 13. Get Down; 14. Heat; 15. Zoe
Publicist: Doug Deutsch Publicity Services
Review: Diana Rein has become the quintessential blues musician, combining incredible guitar riffs with well-crafted songs sung with just the right amount of sass. She starts the album off with an affirmation of her intent (“Yes, I Sing the Blues”) and then blows us away with her limitless talent and street cred. Throughout this amazing release she shows the world why she received three LA Music Critic Awards and was recently nominated for three more in the current cycle. There is no doubt in our minds that she is the female equivalent of BB King, and we are proud to champion this blistering blues guitarist.
Recommendation: What are you waiting for? Run out and grab this one today.
Artist Name: Marty Brown
Album Name: American Way
Label: Plowboy Records
Genre: Country
Track Listing: 1. American Highway; 2. I’m on a Roll (Better Than it’s Ever Been); 3. Umbrella Lovers; 4. Shaking all Over the World; 5. When the Blues Come Around; 6. Right out of Left Field; 7. Kentucky Blues; 8. Casino Winnebago; 9. Velvet Chains; 10. Mona Lisa Smiles
Publicist: So Much Moore Media
Review: Marty Brown is a true country troubadour, and his music bridges the gap between classic greatness and modern day country. He is obviously influenced by such country greats as Vince Gill (“Right out of Left Field”), Alabama (“Umbrella Lovers” and “Shaking all Over the World”) and Sawyer Brown (“I’m on a Roll (Better Than It’s Ever Been)), and provides a modern take on their sound. This is music that belongs on country radio, and is the perfect soundtrack for your two-stepping honky-tonking evenings.
Recommendation: If you love great country, then this is the perfect one for you – go get it!
Artist Name: Kelly’s Lot
Album Name: Can’t Take my Soul
Label: Self-released
Genre: Blues/Americana/Roots
Track Listing: 1. All I Ever Want is the Blues; 2. All Hope Ain’t Lost 3. Alyssa; 4. Woe is Me; 5. Safe and Warm; 6. Rise Up (Léve-Toi); 7. Broke Myself; 8. Let it Breathe; 9. Dirt; 10. Little Bit of This; 11. Can’t Take my Soul; 12. Mon Ami
Publicist: Blind Raccoon
Review: Kelly Zirbes and her band have been a Southern California staple for the past 25 years, and their 14th album is the true cream of the crop. Her voice is tailor-made for the blues, and she passionately shares from her heart these blues-infused songs about the state of the world today. She is truly a modern-day Janis Joplin. These songs need to be listened to multiple times so you can catch all the nuances of the lyrics and the subtle greatness of the instrumentation. We promise you that it will be well worth your time. Even though “All I Want is the Blues,” “All Hope Ain’t Lost,” so “Rise Up”, be “Safe and Warm” and “Let it Breathe” because they “Can’t Take My Soul.” For an added treat, check out the zydeco sound of “Woe is Me.”
Recommendation: Run out and get this one.
Artist Name: Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers
Album Name: Heart of Memphis
Label: Blueskitty Records
Genre: 1. Another Sleepless Night; 2. Dirty Pool; 3. Come on Over; 4. Cradle to the Hearse; 5. No Time; 6. Heart of Memphis; 7. Memphis Soul Stew; 8. Strange Angels
Publicist: Blind Raccoon
Review: This is the third straight year we have had the privilege of reviewing material from Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers, and this is our favorite so far. This lady and her band know how to make great music, and to share their passion with their listeners. This is music that is truly enjoyable, and would make great placements for both film and television, as well as be the life of your weekend parties. Grab a cold one and put this one on repeat. The pure sound will keep you enthralled, especially on the title track.
Recommendation: This one is a definite must-have for your collection.
Artist Name: Casey Abrams
Album Name: Jazz
Label: Chesky Records
Genre: Jazz
Track Listing: 1. Autumn Leaves; 2. I’ve got the World on a String; 3. Need Your Love so Bad; 4. You are so Beautiful; 5. Why Don’t you do Right?; 6. Hound Dog; 7. One Note Samba; 8. L-O-V-E; 9. The Girl from Ipanema; 10. Fly me to the Moon; 11. Round Midnight; 12. Blackbird
Publicist: Chesky Records
Review: We had the distinct pleasure of being at the CD release show for this album back in May, and we previously reviewed the live versions of these songs. As many of you know, Abrams has become a staple in Postmodern Jukebox, and this album demonstrates that Abrams also knows how to reinterpret classic songs, but with a jazzier sound. His music is not just loved by fans but is also receiving critical acclaim. The album versions feature Anne Drummond on flute, Jimmy Greene on saxophone, Mark Whitfield on guitar and Giveton Gelin on trumpet, joining Abrams on bass and vocals, and they quickly show why they are the dream band. We are sure these versions will quickly join your growing list of favorite tunes, especially “You are so Beautiful,” “L-O-V-E,” “The Girl From Ipanema” and “Fly me to the Moon.” We are proud to welcome this former American Idol contestant to the industry’s elite.
Recommendation: Go grab this one – it’s all you’ll need on your desert island getaway.