Category Archives: Music

Aaron Copland’s A Copland Celebration: Vol. 1, Famous Orchestral and Chamber Works, Vol. 2, Chamber Music and Rarities and Vol. 3, Vocal and Choral Works 

To mark what would have been Aaron Copland’s 100th birthday in 2000, Sony Classical disgorged a cornucopia of Copland works. This three volume, six-CD set gives a good overview of the career of this quintessential American composer. It includes the … Continue reading

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Paso Fino’s Should’ve Bought a Pony

This group’s name Paso Fino and the CD’s title, Should’ve Bought a Pony, combined with the artwork, which features photos and cave-drawings of horses, and some of the song titles — “Fiery Ride,” “Home On The Range,” “Belly Up,” “Pray … Continue reading

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Hank Dogs’ Half Smile

In the unlikely event that anyone makes a movie version of Australian author Tim Winton’s critically acclaimed Dirt Music, I propose Hank Dogs to perform the soundtrack. Never mind that the Dogs hail from South London, and the book is … Continue reading

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Various artists’ Rockin’ Memphis: 1960’s – 1970’s Vol. 1

For me rock ‘n’ roll has to be original, wild, and raw. So when this album Rockin’ Memphis, subtitled 1960’s – 1970’s Vol. 1, came up for review I jumped at it. However, it did not turn out to be … Continue reading

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Gillian Welch’s Soul Journey

What could Gillian Welch possibly do in the wake of her 2001 release, Time (The Revelator) an epic song cycle that explored huge themes like the interplay of American history and popular music, and the troubled passing of cultural icons … Continue reading

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Dick Smith’s Smoke Damage

An Illinois-based trio, Dick Smith makes a slightly twisted but literate brand of bluegrass-influenced country music. Old-timey music with a post-modern sensibility, sharply observant lyrics sung with a midwestern twang and instrumental virtuosity add up to a mighty appealing package. … Continue reading

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Conjunto Jardín’s Floreando

Conjunto Jardin is a U.S.-based group that plays music in the “son jarocho” style of the Mexican state of Veracruz. Floreando means “flowering,” and refers to the efforts to preserve and revitalize this intriguing folk music. Floreando is a delightful … Continue reading

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Continental Drifters, Nineteen Ninety-Three and Listen, Listen

The Continental Drifters are currently on an extended hiatus, but that doesn’t mean you can’t hear some “new” music from this quintessential American roots-rock band. Bass-player and chief archivist Mark Walton has dipped into the vaults and come up with … Continue reading

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Caitlin Cary’s I’m Staying Out

Caitlin Cary’s sophomore effort I’m Staying Out is that rare second album that lives up to and even surpasses an exceedingly promising debut. Cary, who began her musical career as fiddler and harmonizer in alt-country group Whiskeytown, emerged in late … Continue reading

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Last Train Home’s Time and Water

With Time and Water, their third full-length, Washington, D.C.’s Last Train Home has become a full-time alt-country band. Led by former Washington Post music writer Eric Brace and his brother Allen, LTH members have reportedly quit their day jobs and … Continue reading

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