| BLUE DIAMOND SHINE/ THAT GOD FORSAKEN ROAD/ ENTWINE RECORDS/ (****) "That God Forsaken Road" is Blue Diamond Shine's second release. Beautiful straight country-rock songs from frontman and songwriter John Stark who brings haunting vocals and unique storytelling. "Blue Diamond Shine" reminds me of the country-rock period of the '70-ties. Great guitar licks from New Mexico's Eric Hissaw and world class pedal steel from Larry Tracy which makes this band unique. THESE ARE MUSICIANS IN LOVE WITH REAL THING. |
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| BJ BAARTMANS/ F-HOLE ACOUSTIC/ NEW ROAD RECORDS 010901 (****) BJ is a simple guy from the Netherlands "Boxmeer" who's music fits completely in the genre of Americana music. He's a singer/songwriter who brings, on his fourth release"F-Hole Acoustic" 13 beautiful songs with blues, folk and country influences. "F-Hole Acoustic is mostly just BJ on vocals, F-hole acoustic, steelstring, Spanish and electric guitar, mandoline, square neck dobro, lap steel, bass guitar, breath percussion, bluesharp, with some help from his friends Stephen v.d.Meyden, Eric De Vries, Toon Janssen, and Moose Marie Baartmans . Take the time and lend an ear to BJ's new record. You will love it. Thank goodness for all who love good music. He's a man with soul and strings. |
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| TOM CORBETT/ UPSTAIRS AT CHARLIES/ ROUNDHOLE RECORDS-51261/ (****) "Upstairs at Charlies" is an 11-song acoustic debut solo release from mandolist Tom Corbett performed by a stellar crew of bluegrass, folk and countrypickers as there are, banjoist Herb Pedersen, bassist Bill Bryson, dobroist Greg Leisz, guitarists Albert Lee and Paul Reynoso, fiddler Paul Shelasky, blues harmonica player Tom Ball and jazzy bassist Randy Tico and not to forgot Tom's beautifully tasteful mandoline playing and groovy singin'. With this album Tom Corbett stands out as a sideman for many artists and bands in the past. If you do like good bluergrass music, don't miss this guy! |
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| MICHAEL KELSH/ WELL OF MERCY/ REDEYE RECORDS/ (*****) One of Nashville's hidden treasures is singer/songwriter Michael Kelsh. Before "Well Of Mercy" Michael released two critically acclaimed independent collections of his songs "Ghost Dance" and "Steel Blue Ballads". Supporting mucicians are Joy Lyn White, JohnCowan, Rusty Young (Poco), Stu Cole, Larry Atamanuik and Michael Rhodes. Michael Kelsh is a funny guy. He write's strong, beautiful songs and you can't get enough of his music. He reminds me of Jackson Brown and Townes Van Zandt. "Well Of Mercy" gets 5-stars because Michael knows how to writes a song and makes great music. This is a "must-have" album for all the guys who likes Americana-Roots music on his best. |
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| JOSH RITTER/ GOLDEN AGE OF RADIO/ SIGNATURE SOUNDS #1269 (****) On the age of twenty four, Idaho-born singer/songwriter Josh Ritter released his critically-acclaimed CD "Golden Age Of Radio". He's a well known guy in the US and Ireland, where he is selling out clubs and small theaters. Josh writes beautifully literate songs you can listen to again and again. His acoustic music is suburb. If you like guys as John Prine, Gram Parsons, and Townes Van Zandt, you sure must listen to this very young American singer/songwriter. |
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