Category Archives: Music

Kelly Hogan’s I Like To Keep Myself In Pain

Kelly Hogan, with I Like To Keep Myself In Pain, has made an album that is equal to her talent. Not that she hasn’t put out some fine recordings before, but this one looks to be that mythical beast, the … Continue reading

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Levon Helm’s Ramble At The Ryman

When Levon Helm died on April 19, 2012, there began an outpouring of grief and affection for the man and his music that has yet to fade completely as I write this, nearly a month later. That’s an eon in … Continue reading

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Choban Elektrik’s Choban Elektrik

Take three musicians who are Frank Zappa fanatics, cross them with the insane vitality of Balkan dance music, and you have Choban Elektrik (Electric Shepherd), and their self-titled debut release. Choban Elektrik’s music is billed as Balkan psychedelic jazz-rock, and … Continue reading

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Bowerbirds’ The Clearing

The Clearing is a fully realized artistic vision of Beth Tacular and Phil Moore, the young North Carolina couple who perform as Bowerbirds. It’s their third album, and it’s a mature, emotionally charged work that reflects some of the travails … Continue reading

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Jenn Rawling & Basho Parks’ Take The Air

Some albums take a while to grow on you, and some reach out and grab you from the first note. Take The Air, the debut album by the Portland, Oregon, duo Jenn Rawling & Basho Parks was one of the … Continue reading

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Y La Bamba’s Court the Storm

Court the Storm, the second full-length release from Portland, Oregon’s Y La Bamba, punches all the right buttons. It’s rhythmically, melodically and lyrically rich. Its songs, whether in English or Spanish, are immediately entertaining in all of those ways, and … Continue reading

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Some Dark Holler’s self-titled EP

The music of Some Dark Holler sounds like it came out of, well, you know. It’s true Southern Gothic, not some hip put-on. Chris Porter, who writes the songs and plays guitar, sings lead on these songs about modern lives … Continue reading

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Kathryn Tickell’s Strange but True

Paul Brandon wrote this review. Northumbrian piper Kathryn Tickell has long been one of my favourite musicians. I can’t exactly put my finger on why; whether it’s the sublime playing, the always eclectic choice of songs and tunes, or even … Continue reading

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Richard Thompson Band’s Live At Celtic Connections (DVD)

The most recent incarnation of the Richard Thompson Band started its run with a string of nine or 10 shows along the West Coast of the U.S. in February of 2010. They played a set of 13 new songs that … Continue reading

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Three Metre Day’s Coasting Notes

Coasting Notes by the Canadian trio Three Metre Day is one of the most beautiful albums I heard in 2011. It’s the debut full-length CD by this acoustic “modern roots” ensemble from Toronto comprising Michelle Willis on vocals and pump … Continue reading

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