Since we couldn’t publish our Get It or Forget It article on Thursday due to working the Luke Bryan concert, we are providing a special Saturday edition to make up for it. Enjoy these amazing artists.
Artist Name: Johnny & The Headhunters
Album Name: That’s All I Need
Label: Self-released
Genre: Blues/R&B
Track Listing: 1. That’s All I Need; 2. Lead me On; 3. Body and Fender Man; 4. Chicken House; 5. Rock ’em Dead; 6. Shake Your Money Maker; 7. Ace of Spades; 8. Watch and Chain (Hey Gyp) (ft Liz Springer); 9. All my Whole Life; 10. Collins Mambo
Publicist: Blind Raccoon
Review: The blues and R&B are a natural fit, and nobody does it better than Johnny Ticktin and his Headhunters. Ticktin was the lead guitar player with Louisiana Red, who won multiple BMA awards, and has now released his 8th album with his Headhunters. None of these tunes are originals, but that doesn’t matter because Ticktin and his band breathe new life into these standards and truly make them their own, starting with their version of the title track, originally recorded by Magic Sam back in 1967. The band also has some amazing guest musicians on this album, including Tam Sullivan on keys for “Lead Me On” and Liz Springer (Built for Comfort) on vocals for “Watch and Chain (Hey Gyp).” Ticktin even gets to showcase his amazing guitar riffs on Link Wray‘s instrumental “Ace of Spades,” as well as throughout this amazing collection that truly pays homage to some of the biggest and baddest to ever play the blues, rockabilly or garage rock, including Chet Atkins, Lowell Fulson, Elmore James and Albert Collins.
Recommendation: If you love guitar, the blues, rockabilly or just love great music, then this one is for you. Go Get it.
Artist Name: Andrew Bayer
Album Name: In my Last Life
Label: AnjunaBeats
Genre: Electronic
Track Listing: 1. Tidal Wave (ft Alison May); 2. Love you More (ft Ane Brun); 3. Open End Resource (ft Alison May); 4. Hold Onto You (ft Ane Brun); 5. In my Last Life (ft Alison May); 6. Immortal Lover (ft Alison May); 7. Your Eyes (ft Ane Brun); 8. End of all Things (ft Alison May)
Publicist: Mystic Sons
Review: Grammy-nominated producer Andrew Bayer proves that he is a true artist on his third solo effort, In my Last Life. We introduced his video for “Immortal Lover” to you in our Monday Mashup in July. He has crafted the electronic beat in such a way that the listener is immediately caught up in the sheer beauty of the music, helped along by the dynamic vocals of both Alison May and Ane Brun, which take the songs to even greater heights. Their voices are reminiscent of such artists as Enya and Sarah MacLachlan with their abilities to soar on the notes with wispy, ethereal voices that are powerful and strong. Every song is worthy of your attention, and we recommend you listen to them over and over again.
Recommendation: Don’t think twice – run out and Get this one!
Artist Name: Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers
Album Name: Wiggle Room
Label: Blueskitty Records
Genre: Blues
Track Listing: 1. Falling Down; 2. Sweet Lovin Man; 3. Wiggle Room; 4. Honey on the Side; 5. Nothing to No One; 6. Let it Slide; 7. Been so Long; 8. Worthy; 9. He Can’t be Wrong; 10. Hard Times
Publicist: Blind Raccoon
Review: Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers are another in a string of award winning blues bands based in Seattle. Their three previous albums have all received international radio airplay, and this one will be no exception. It is already #1 on the RMR charts (four weeks and counting), and all 10 songs have charted. D’Amour also won the Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition for her song “Trouble,” as well as a nomination from the Washington Blues Society for Best Songwriter. The music is funky and smooth, with those amazing vocals of D’Amour leading the way. On the musician side, she gets some amazing help from Noel Barnes on sax, Patrick McDaniel on bass and trombone, Jeff Cornell on electric and resonator guitar, Dave Delzotto on drums and Brian Olendorf on keys, as well as special appearances by Angelo Ortiz on congas and Greg Lyons on trumpet. Vocally she gets some great backing vocals from special guests Nora Michaels and John Oliver III. This album should be the crown jewel of your blues collection.
Recommendation: Don’t even think about it – you simply MUST add this one to your collection. Get it now!
Artist Name: United Ghosts
Album Name: Saturn Days
Label: Cleopatra Records
Genre: Electronic
Track Listing: 1. Waves; 2. All you sad Boys; 3. Melodista; 4. Ever Closer; 5. Crash; 6. Ride Baby Ride; 7. Can’t Feel the Rain; 8. Too Clean Too Slow; 9. Maybe you Feel; 10. Star Song
Publicist: Noisy Ghost PR
Review: Sha Sabi and Axel Ray aka United Ghosts may currently be based in LA, but they got there from New York/San Francisco and London. Their brand of electronic features their awesome vocals on top of killer drums, guitars and synths, creating a mesmerizing brand of music that will definitely keep the kids on the dance floor at the local night club. It is no wonder that this band is killing it in Europe or that they have recently been signed to Cleopatra Records. Although it’s been four years since their last release, their brilliant new album was certainly worth the wait.
Recommendation: Run, don’t walk, and Get this one.
Artist Name: Lauren Balthrop
Album Name: This Time Around
Label: Tone Tree Music
Genre: Folk/Pop
Track Listing: 1. Down; 2. Don’t Ever Forget; 3. Tumbleweed; 4. Accident; 5. Come Around; 6. Maple Tree; 7. Long Day; 8. Waiting Game; 9. We Fell; 10. I’m Ready
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: Lauren Balthrop possesses one of those voices that are rare, the kind that can transform even the darkest lyrics and made them seem bright and happy. We featured her video for “Don’t Ever Forget” in our Monday Mashup column in July, as well as her lyric video for “Down” in June. She has set a high bar for herself on this debut album, which is definitely one of the best we’ve experienced this year and features Peter Lalish on guitar, Jason Lawrence on drums, Josh Kaufman on bass, and Karen Waltuch on strings, as well as Elizabeth Ziman, Annie Nero, Lucas Madrazo, Maia Friedman and Tom Krueger on backing vocals. To paraphrase the words of that great pop song from the 90’s, “Her future’s so bright, she’s gonna need shades.”
Recommendation: GET IT NOW!