Joe LoCascio : Book of Days Review
The compositional stylings of Joe LoCascio come to life in a sonic tapestry that was meticulously composed for this album with this ensemble. However, LoCascio admits to pushing the limits of his own artistry in his eighteenth recording, Book of Days. Therefore, this offering can only be described as a beautiful balance of composition and improvisation.
LoCascio’s journey has been punctuated by his involvement with some of the best in jazz, names as diverse as Chet Baker and Pharoah Sanders, which has undoubtedly honed his skills to a razor’s edge. The saga [...]
Megan Moroney has released her bold debut album, Lucky, on which Moroney presents a narrative as daringly complex and vividly raw as that of Johnny Cash and June Carter’s romantic saga. This Georgia-born, Nashville-based artist doesn’t settle for surface-level lyrics of stories of love and heartbreak. Instead, her lyrics probe deeper, unearthing the undercurrents of emotions and posing questions that challenge the comfortable narratives we often settle for.
In “Why Johnny,” Moroney interrogates June Carter with an unsettling curiosity, her voice- a blend of raspy candor and nonchalant tenacity, striking the chords of truth [...]
With her roots firmly planted in the deep, rich soil of blues and soul, Northern Irish singer-songwriter Kaz Hawkins showcases her multifaceted musical tastes in her latest offering, Until We Meet Again. The album paints a resplendent tapestry of sound, entwining threads of gritty blues, soul-stirring gospel, vibrant rock, and a touch of her Celtic heritage. Hawkins successfully marries these diverse influences, seamlessly blurring genre boundaries to create a sound that is entirely her own. From emotionally raw ballads to rock, anthems imbued with spirited guitar solos and [...]
Daniel Blumberg released his third solo album, GUT, an arresting exploration of the deepest trenches of physical and emotional turmoil, its raw intensity echoing the essence of human resilience and vulnerability. Crafted with an array of unconventional instrumentation and paired with warmly sung and guttural emotional vocal work, the album offers listeners a profound journey into the human condition.
The opening track, “Bone,” sets the stage for the album’s arresting soundscape. From the outset, a resonant drone in the bass register [...]
María Dueñas’ debut album, Beethoven and Beyond, is an exhilarating musical exposition, illuminating the intricate weaving of virtuosity and expression that characterizes the young violinist’s style. The album’s tour de force lies in its exploration of cadenzas. This musical endeavor amplifies the dynamic interplay between the perennial works of legendary composers and Dueñas’s nuanced, innovative interpretations.
Kicking off the album with Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, Dueñas unveils the musical palette she will [...]
In a notable departure from tradition, jazz hard bop drummer Joe Farnsworth, well-renowned for his dynamic drumming and formidable technique, steps into new territory with his third release via Smoke Sessions Records, In What Direction Are You Headed?. The album deliberately explores modern jazz territories and sees Farnsworth evolving from his hard bop foundations into the more expansive modern jazz soundscape.
The record shines with an all-star quintet featuring talents from Farnsworth’s generation [...]
María Dueñas’ debut album, Beethoven and Beyond, is an exhilarating musical exposition, illuminating the intricate weaving of virtuosity and expression that characterizes the young violinist’s style. The album’s tour de force lies in its exploration of cadenzas. This musical endeavor amplifies the dynamic interplay between the perennial works of legendary composers and Dueñas’s nuanced, innovative interpretations.
Kicking off the album with Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, Dueñas unveils the musical palette she will [...]
Bonnie Raitt is back with her latest album, Just Like That…, her first album in over six years. The Rock And Roll Hall of Famer continues to draw on all the influences that have shaped her legendary career while simultaneously creating something that articulates the circumstances and challenges of these unprecedented times. Just Like That… was recorded in Sausalito, California, with an all-star band that included two longtime members of Raitt’s band, bassist James “Hutch” Hutchinson and drummer Ricky Fataar, as well as two new musicians, Canadian Glenn Patscha on keyboards and backing vocals and Nashville guitarist Kenny Greenberg. Her longtime [...]
Halestorm has released their album Back From The Dead, which is eleven songs produced by Nick Raskulinecz that takes the listener on a journey through navigating mental health, debauchery, survival, redemption, and rediscovery while still maintaining faith in humanity. Already the title track has earned the band their sixth #1 on Rock Radio. Halestorm has grown from a childhood dream of siblings Lzzy and Arejay Hale into one of the most celebrated rock bands of the last two decades as their music has surpassed a billion streams worldwide. Halestorm is Lzzy Hale on guitar and vocals, with drummer Arejay Hale, guitarist Joe Hottinger, and bass [...]
Battle Beast is releasing their next installment of European power metal with its sixth studio album called Circus of Doom. The female-fronted metal band is buoyant with symphonic metal driven by agile guitar playing and the grit of singer Noora Luohimo. Who has lost none of her fire over the past 9 years. The sextet has created an album that is easy to listen to while still maintaining an aggressive metal edge. The ten songs have many hooks, riffs, and rebellious driving grooves.
The album sports many symphonic metal anthems, the best being the title track, “Circus of Doom.” There is an edge to the song with its aggressive guitar riffs, [...]
