| HOT RIZE/ SO LONG A JOURNEY/ SUG-CD 3943 (***) HOT RIZE:Formed in 1978, they was undoubledly one of the hottest bluegrass bands throughout the 80s. Tim O'Brien, Charles Sawtelle, Nick forster and Pete Wernick made music that would "flat take your breath away", until they disbanded in 1992 after trilling fans on the road for over a decade."So Long Of A Journey" almost didn't make it out of the closet-literally. Unbeknown to the rest of the band members, Nick Forster had the band's 1996 reunion concert in Boulder concert recorded, wich proved to be prophetic as the show was pure magic-a musician's dream. Later Forster and Sawtelle were exited about the prospect of mixing the tapes, but they were misplaced, stored in a closet until there discovery years later. Now, they are not only a lasting record of one of the best bluegrass groups ever, but also wonderful tribute to Charles Sawtelle who succumbed to leukemia in 1999. |
| SHANNON LYON/ DHARMA/ INBETWEENS RECORDS/ (****) "Dharma" is Canadian singer/songwriter Shannon Lyon's second release. His first CD "Summer Blonde" was never released in Europe but "Dharma" is distributed by The Netherlands Inbetweens. "Dharma" is a beautiful, strong and simple release with unique acoustic guitar and lap-steel playing. It's a terrific acoustic juwel. You must listen to this guy. He brings you in a wonderful musical world. Relax in an easy chair with a glass of red wine and listen to wonderful songs as there are ;"Dharma"," Colours in my mind" a subtiel song duet with Lisa Winn, "Olde Freightliner" , "Crystal Ball" duet vocals with Jo Pauls ,"Black Windows" with beautiful lap-steel from Jay Schneider and the hidden song, after 6:30 minutes. After listen to this great songs and music from Shannon Lyon, you will be another person if you don't drink to much wine. |
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| ADLIN & APPLEFORD/ JAUNDICE BITTERS/ SELF RELEASED/ (***) Imagine a warm summer evening. After a nice meal sitting in your rocking-chair on the veranda and having Rich Adlin and Mark Appleford playing their music for you. This feeling came over me listening to their CD.Their music is most of the time acoustic. Country-folk and country-blues songs, even a reggea song (It's Time). Mark has a nice voice and plays also the harmonica, while Rich knows how to handle anything about strings. Outstanding tracks are "Shakespeare's Shuffle" and "Fire In Your Belly". This CD can be bought at www.cdbaby.com |
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| RAE BILLING/ RAE BILLING/ EMI MUSIC CANADA/ OPM2124/ (*****) In 1997 my eye fell on an article regarding CRYBABY, a Canadian country-rock band. I bought their CD without hearing any note, but there was no disappointment when it arrived. I loved Rae Billing's voice from the start. Four years later and almost forgotten, when surfing on the internet I discoverd Rae's solo-cd. I listened to a few songs wich I found superb. Now reviewing the whole cd, it's a winner from the start to finish. Rae has a very twangy voice and the band is playing brilliantly. Many highlights, no fillers. I think she and her band are perfect for the annual "Blue Highways festival" in Utrecht The Netherlands. www.reabilling.com |
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| BOB CHEEVERS/ WE ARE ALL NAKED/ INBRED RECORDS/ (****) I meth Bob a few years ago in a club Eksel Belgium. I was surprised by his energic guitar playing and great voice. He promoted his CD "Gettysbury To graceland". Fromthat moment he earnt his place in the landscape called Americana music. As a producer, publisher, singer, songwriter and seasoned performer, Bob has found his own voice spinning rootsy, blues-flavored tales of the Delta in a convensational language of the heart. Bob Cheevers is a great American writer who writes short stories sinds the 60'. One of his favorite places to play is the Bluebird cafe Nashville. Bob says; "I don't know of these stories are true.... but they happend to me". |