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| Kate Maki �Confusion Unlimited� (self-released) This young Canadian gave up her day-job as a teacher to become a fulltime singer-songwriter and considering her debut-cd �Confusion Unlimited� you could describe this as a wise decision. Kate is a great example of the alt-country movement and can be compared to Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch. Kate�s band consists of the great Jim Bryson on guitar, Fred Guignion on lap steel, Stephen Tatone on organ and Sarah Ross on fiddle. Highlights of the cd are �Strangest Dream�, �Mid March Blues� and �To Be Good�. A very strong debut. www.katemaki.com |
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| Michael Woody �Listen to me� (Rocade Records) I know Michael as the half of The Woodys, who gave us a few very nice cd�s during the past years. Michael is very well known as a songwriter for artists like Steve Earle, the Desert Rose band, Chris Hillman, Dave Alvin and others. On his solo-debut Michael gets some help in writing from people like Alice Randall, Jeff Black, Dave Lee Murphy, Fred Koller ,J. D. Myers and the late Waylon Jennings. The music on this cd can be catalogued as country-rock. �Clear as bell�, co-written with Jeff Black, is a nice Americana song. �Party Crowd� and �I know a goodbye� are very twangy songs. �As good as goodbye gets� is a great ballad. �Drinkin� stories�, co-written with JD Myers and Waylon Jennings is contemporary honky-tonk. At the end Dyann Woody comes by to sing harmony in �Beginning to believe�. www.thewoodysmusic.com |
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| Lisa O�Kane �Peace of mind� (Raisin� Kane Records) Many European countryfans were charmed by Lisa�s debut cd �Am I too blue�. On her second cd the Californian beauty presents us again with a mixture of commercial country and rootsy music. She gets some help from Skip Edwards on accordion and B3, Jay Dee Maness on pedal steel and Bob Glaub on bass. The highlights are three own compositions : the title track, �Long Gone�, which is a modest Americana song and �Highland Ground� with lots of Celtic influences. Very Recommended to the country fans. www.lisaokane.com [email protected] |
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| Magee Payne �Giving up the ghost� (self-released) Compared to his debut-cd Magee made a great leap forward with his second cd and this as well for the composition as for the performance of the songs. People who like Cory Morrow, Jack Ingram or Pat Green will be delighted listening to Magee�s cd. Texas country singer-songwriter songs all written by Magee except for Gram Parsons� �Return of the grievous angel�. �A way away from you�, �She (fight II)� and �Never gonna breathe� are tuneful country-rock songs. �Every sip I take� is an acoustic ballad. �Whiskey for your friend� an �Bottom of the glass� are typical Texan singer-songwriter stuff. Recommended to all the fans of Texas Country music. www.mageepayne.com |