Category Archives: Music

Continental Drifters’ Continental Drifters

I nominate the Continental Drifters as the First Family of roots rock. The group’s six members are all seasoned road warriors, multi-instrumentalists, and most of them capable singer-songwriters in their own right. The band’s genesis was in the club scene … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Continental Drifters’ Continental Drifters

Various artists’ Rough Guide to Cuban Son

The Rough Guide to Cuban Son is a wide-ranging look at this music’s evolution from simple folk-based acoustic music to the big-band salsa of today. It features great son bands of the past as well as groups that still play … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Various artists’ Rough Guide to Cuban Son

Ignacio Piñeiro y Septeto Nacional’s Soneros de Cuba

Soneros de Cuba is another nice package from the excellent Swiss label Real Rhythm. The Septeto Nacional plays solid son music, and the 11 tracks on this disc range from sultry boleros to lively guajiras and rumbas, with of course … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Ignacio Piñeiro y Septeto Nacional’s Soneros de Cuba

Pancho Amat y el cabildo del son’s De San Antonio a Maisí

I can’t speak highly enough of Pancho Amat’s De San Antonio a Maisí, an absolutely delightful collection of traditional and contemporary son by today’s living master of the tres. This disc fairly vibrates with the life and joy that infuses … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Pancho Amat y el cabildo del son’s De San Antonio a Maisí

Roam’s Ragged In the Rain

Judith Gennett wrote this review. “In such an ugly time the true protest is beauty.” –Phil Ochs “Roam is an acoustic folk band from Yorkshire.” So begins my review of Roam’s first album Count the Stars. Luckily, this third album … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Roam’s Ragged In the Rain

Amanda’s Cafe Creole

Amanda is a Swedish vocal ensemble founded in 1981. Over the past two decades, the group has grown to some 35 musicians and incorporated theatrical elements into its stage show. The group performs music and theater from various traditions in … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Amanda’s Cafe Creole

Caitlin Cary’s Waltzie EP

Caitlin Cary plays fiddle and sings harmony in the alt country band Whiskeytown, which is currently on hiatus. With frontman Ryan Adams recording a critically acclaimed solo effort, Cary has stepped into her own little corner of the spotlight with … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Caitlin Cary’s Waltzie EP

The Horse Flies’ Two Traditions: Contemporary Fiddle Music with Ethnic Percussion Accompaniment and Ancient Hand’s Tranze is the Danze

These two recordings could be billed as The Horse Flies with Jim Roberts and Friends, and Jim Roberts with The Horse Flies and Other Friends. The Horse Flies are a New York-based nouveau-folk outfit that has explored and exploded the … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Horse Flies’ Two Traditions: Contemporary Fiddle Music with Ethnic Percussion Accompaniment and Ancient Hand’s Tranze is the Danze

Various artists’ Santeros y Salseros, Las Cecilias de Cuba’s ¿De Que te Quejas?, Various artists’ Salsa, and Los Jubilados’ Cero Farandulero

When the Buena Vista Social Club CD became a worldwide hit in 1997, it opened the gates to a flood of music made in or derived from Cuba. Not all of it is of the highest quality — but these … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Various artists’ Santeros y Salseros, Las Cecilias de Cuba’s ¿De Que te Quejas?, Various artists’ Salsa, and Los Jubilados’ Cero Farandulero

The Holy Modal Rounders’ Last Round

Slowly but surely, the Holy Modal Rounders back catalog is being reissued. The latest to be dragged squinting and blinking into the light of day is 1978’s Last Round. Even more than the original Rounders’ first two acoustic discs reissued … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Holy Modal Rounders’ Last Round