Georgia Review Archives
King of the Road
Review of: Paul Hemphill
(Houghton Mifflin Company) Paul Hemphill wrote his novel King of the Road in 1989 as a tribute to his father who was a truckdriver. In an age when heroes read more...
Back To The Woods
Review of: Chuck Leavell
(Evergreen Arts) Chuck Leavell, no doubt, stands as one of the finest piano players on the planet. His musical resume includes working with artists such as Aretha Franklin, Chuck read more...
A Good Country Mile
Review of: Kevn Kinney
(Drivin N Cryin) Recorded in Brooklyn, A Good Country Mile counts as the first album Kevn Kinney has recorded outside of his group Drivin N Cryin since 2004. This album revolves read more...
Nashville 48
Review of: Honey Blue
(Paper Boat Records) Honey Blue's latest EP, Nashville 48, was recorded in Nashville during April 2011. This collection serves as a natural progression to the group's debut release Broken read more...
Sweeten The Distance
Review of: Neal Casal
(The Royal Potato Family) Sweeten The Distance counts as Neal Casal's 10th studio album. Currently, Casal serves as the lead guitar picker for
Rhyton
Review of: Rhyton
(Thrill Jockey) This self-titled debut release on Thrill Jockey was recorded by Jason Meagher at his Brooklyn Black Dirt Studios. Atlanta native Dave Shuford (aka D. Charles Speer) read more...
The Wood Tour: Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA: Night One
Review of: Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic The Wood Tour Night One: read more...
Highway Call
Review of: Dickey Betts
(Polydor) Released in 1974, Highway Call counted as the first solo album by Dickey Betts.
Old Clinton BAR-B-Q House
Review of: Old Clinton BAR-B-Q
James Calemine's "Never Ending Soul Food Tour" includes documented visits to barbecue joints, catfish dens, chicken shacks and any establishment serving memorable vittles. All Photos by James Calemine Old Clinton BAR-B-Q House 4214 Gray read more...
Hide The World
Review of: Dodd Ferrelle
(Two Sheds Records) Dodd Ferrelle has been playing throughout Georgia and beyond for over 20 years. Hide The World counts as this Athens, Georgia, musician's latest release. Recorded by
Reverie
Review of: Joe Henry
(Anti) Joe Henry's interesting musical journey coalesces on his latest album Reverie. These 14 original songs revolve around a concept of reflection. Reverie counts as Henry's 12th studio release. Henry's family moved from Charlotte to Atlanta when he was read more...
Palmer's Village Cafe
Review of: Palmer's Village Cafe
Palmer's Village Cafe 223 Mallery Street Saint Simons Island, GA 31522 912-634-5515 James Calemine’s “Never Ending Soul Food Tour” includes documented visits to barbecue joints, catfish dens, chicken shacks and any establishment read more...
Breaks In The Armor
Review of: Crooked Fingers
(Merge Records) Eric Bachmann writes, records and performs under the name Crooked Fingers. A North Carolina native, Bachmann now lives in Athens, Georgia, where he recorded his latest album Breaks In The Armor. Bachmann co-founded the Chapel Hill band read more...
Through A Crooked Sun
Review of: Rich Robinson
(Circle Sound/Thirty Tigers) Rich Robinson's second solo album--Through A Crooked Sun--was recorded at Applehead Studios in Saugerties, New York, during April of 2011. Of course, read more...
This May Be My Last Time Singing
Review of: Various Artists
(Tompkins Square) Tompkins Square's latest release is an amazing 3-CD set titled This May Be My Last Time Singing: Raw African-American Gospel On 45RPM 1957-1982. Tompkins Square released this official statement regarding this rare package: Get read more...
The Ballad of Little River
Review of: Paul Hemphill
(The University of Alabama Press) The Ballad of Little River: A Tale of Race and Unrest in the Rural South revolves around church arson in Little River, Alabama. In 1997, Little River, Alabama, emerged as the site of the U.S. government's first conviction under a read more...
Drifting Into Darien
Review of: Janisse Ray
(The University of Georgia Press) "I seek the darkest wood, the thickest and most interminable and, to the citizen, most dismal swamp. I enter a swamp as a sacred place,--a sanctum sanctorium. There is the strength, the marrow, of nature."
Is That You in the Blue?
Review of: Dex Romweber Duo
(Bloodshot Records) Dex Romweber and his sister Sara were in the Chapel Hill, North Carolina, surf-rockabilly-psychedelic band Flat Duo Jets. They moved to Athens, Georgia, for a while. Memphis luminary
Looking For America
Review of: Mark Wills
(Gracie Productions) Just in time for the Fourth of July comes Mark Wills latest album Looking For America. This Tennessee born, Georgia-raised country singer has left behind the major labels to make more personal statements with his music. Looking at read more...
We're Not Coming Back This Way
Review of: Sam Sniper
(Self-Released) The band Sam Sniper hails from Athens, Georgia. We're Not Coming Back This Way counts as the group's debut album. The band includes Andrew Klein (vocals, guitar, bass, banjo, piano, organ), Chris Barnett (vocals, bass, guitar, drums), Ryan Sedgwick read more...
Distillation
Review of: D. Charles Speer & The Helix
(Thrill Jockey) D. Charles Speer and the Helix emerge as an up-and-rising country-hearted ensemble. Distillation counts as the group's second studio release. Recorded at Black Dirt read more...
Leaving the Commonwealth
Review of: D. Charles Speer & The Helix
(Thrill Jockey) Leaving the Commonwealth follows D. Charles Speer's solo album Arghiledes. Leaving the Commonwealth counts as the 3rd full-length album by Speer and the
Ragged and Right
Review of: Jack Rose, D. Charles Speer & the Helix
(Thrill Jockey) The concept for Ragged and Right originated from inspiration surrounding the Mordicai Jones/Link Wray 3 Track Shack sessions. Released in 2010, Ragged and Right counts as one of Virginia guitarist Jack Rose's final recordings before he died read more...
Arghiledes
Review of: D. Charles Speer
(Thrill Jockey) Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, David Charles Shuford (aka Speer) moved to New York in the mid 90s and played in groups such as No Neck Blues Band, Enos Slaughter, The Suntanam, Egypt Is The Magick # and Coach Fingers. Speer released his first solo read more...
So, You Want To Be A Bullfighter
Review of: American Anodyne
(americananodyne.com) So, You Want To Be A Bullfighter is the North Atlanta band American Anodyne's first release. The group's official bio states: "Soaked in moonshine and forged from gold, American read more...
Florida Frenzy
Review of: Harry Crews
(University Press of Florida) Florida Frenzy culls 13 essays and articles along with 3 short stories into one of the finest collections written by Harry Crews. These stories span from read more...
Long Gone
Review of: Paul Hemphill
(Iver R. Dee, Publisher) Long Gone is a baseball story. Stud Cantrell manages a Class-D Florida team in 1956. Stud's life intersects with his lover Dixie Lee Box, a young second baseman named Jamie Weeks and a black catcher--Jose Brown pretending to be read more...
Hotel
Review of: Starlite Devilles
(thestarlitedevilles.com) The Starlite Devilles are a four-piece alt-country band from Athens, Georgia. Hotel counts as the group's debut release. The Starlite Devilles include: Eric Gregory (vocals/guitar), Keith Fowler (lead guitar), Brian Crane (drums) and Pat read more...
Defender
Review of: Bird Of Youth
(Jagjaguwar Records) Bird Of Youth's Beth Wawerna continues a strong tradition of journalists turned musicians. Women like Patti Smith and Chrissie Hynde both saw writing about music as an essential part of their artistic paths. Wawerna worked for both Spin read more...
Little Piece Of Dixie
Review of: Blackberry Smoke
(Southern Ground) This Atlanta, Georgia, band deserves recognition. Their second CD, Little Piece of Dixie, captures their song-crafted, hard-rocking sound. The band’s southern influences read more...
The Palace Guards
Review of: David Lowery
(Savoy/429 Records) Texas born songwriter/singer/producer David Lowery founded the bands Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker. Lowery now works with David Barbe at The University of Georgia. The read more...
Man In Motion
Review of: Warren Haynes
(Stax/Concord Music Group) Recorded at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Studio in Austin, Texas,
Never A Pal Like Mother
Review of: Dust To Digital
(Dust To Digital) Never A Pal Like Mother, Dust To Digital’s latest release, counts as a book that contains “vintage songs and read more...
Ugly Ways
Review of: Tina McElroy Ansa
(Harcourt Brace & Company) Macon, Georgia, native Tina McElroy Ansa published her second novel, Ugly Ways, in 1993. Ansa ranks as an influential novelist, teacher, filmmaker and journalist who lives on the Georgia coast. Ugly Ways tells the story of read more...
Live at Fillmore West
Review of: King Curtis
(Koch International) King Curtis, born Curtis Ousley, was a seminal saxophonist from Texas. Curtis turned down scholarships to join the great Lionel Hampton’s jazz band. Curtis later became a session musician in New York where he recorded with Buddy Holly, Andy read more...
Discovering Life's Trails: Adventures in Living
Review of: Tom Dennard
(Rainbow Books, Inc.) Published in 1993, Discovering Life’s Trails: Adventures in Living remains a seminal account from one of the south’s greatest travelers. This counts as Tom Dennard’s first of four books. Born in Pineview, Georgia, a read more...
Automatic Y'all: Weaver D's Guide to the Soul
Review of: Dexter Weaver
(Hill Street Press) Published in 1999 by the University of Georgia’s Hill Street Press, Dexter Weaver’s book Automatic Y’all contains stories and recipes revolving around the Athens, Georgia, soul food joint
Broken Places
Review of: Honey Blue
(Paper Boat Music) Broken Places counts as Honey Blue’s debut release. This young group from Saint Simons Island promises vast musical horizons on these seven songs recorded in the fall of 2010 at Rockstudio in Brunswick, Georgia. Honey Blue includes read more...
Go-Go Boots
Review of: Drive By Truckers
(ATO Records) Go-Go Boots counts as the Drive By Truckers' 10th studio release. It’s the Truckers’ most R & B-country based collection of songs to date. read more...
Low Country Blues
Review of: Gregg Allman
(Rounder) Sometimes it is hard to believe that it takes an average of a decade or so for Gregg Allman to release a solo record. It was about 9 years between Playin' Up A Storm and I'm No Angel and then another 9 years between Just Before The Bullets read more...
Moonlight Revival
Review of: Ponderosa
(New West Records) Moonlight Revival counts as this Athens/Atlanta, Georgia, band Ponderosa’s debut album. Recorded in Nashville and Atlanta, these 11 songs aim for glories down gasoline alley where
New Orleans Jokerman
Review of: The Last Waltz Ensemble
(Raymond Records) The Last Waltz Ensemble formed in 2004. This Atlanta band plays the music of Bob Dylan &
In The Outside
Review of: Eric Culberson Band
(ericculberson.com) Eric Culberson ranks as a journeyman musician. The Savannah, Georgia, native has logged over a million miles on the road traveling from gig to gig. Over the last 20 years he’s opened for Johnny Winter, J. Geils, Buddy Guy, John Mayall,
Hustlers, Killers & Thieves
Review of: Greg Hester
(Ropeadope Records) Recorded in Nashville by Eric McConnell (Loretta Lynn & Todd Snider), Greg Hester’s Hustlers, Killers & Thieves evokes pure funk and soul music. Hester grew up in James Brown’s hometown of Augusta, Georgia, and these ten read more...
Baby, How Can It Be?
Review of: Dust To Digital
(Dust-To-Digital) The 3 CD set--Baby, How Can It Be? Songs of Love, Lust and Contempt From the 1920s and 1930s--originates from the rare 78-rpm read more...
The Hurricane That Hit Atlanta
Review of: Rev. Johnny L. Jones
(Dust-To-Digital) This 2 CD compilation of archival recordings from Rev. Johnny L. “Hurricane” Jones, culled from more than 1,000 tapes of live read more...
Live in the Classic City II
Review of: Widespread Panic
(Widespread Records) This latest release counts as volume two of Widespread Panic's homecoming April 2000 Classic Center Theatre shows in the band's hometown of Athens, Georgia. read more...
Croweology
Review of: The Black Crowes
(Silver Arrow Records) Croweology represents live acoustic versions of The Black Crowes most revered material from the last 20 read more...
Hickory Wind: Live at the Gram Parsons Guitar Pull
Review of: Charlie Louvin
(Tompkins Square) Gram Parsons always admired the Louvin Brothers. Brother Charlie read more...
Dusty In Memphis
Review of: Warren Zanes
Continuum I met Warren Zanes at Stanley Booth’s house in the early 90s. Booth plays a major role in Zane’s well-written book Dusty In Memphis published in 2003. In read more...
Pass The Jar
Review of: Zac Brown Band
The Zac Brown Band & Friends Live from The Fabulous Fox Theatre (Atlantic) Now this is what I call a downright fun live album. A double album actually, complete with a DVD when you buy the hard copy, but the digital download is enough to rock my read more...
Truth & Salvage Company
Review of: Truth & Salvage Company
Silver Arrow Records The rare collection of songwriters in Truth And Salvage Company originates from Atlanta, New Orleans, Tupelo and Ohio, read more...
Dirty Side Down
Review of: Widespread Panic
(ATO Records) Dirty Side Down, Widespread Panic’s 11th studio album, returns to the read more...
Live On The Sunset Strip
Review of: Otis Redding
(Concord Music Group) This 2-CD collection documents Otis Redding’s historic 1966 performance at the Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles.
The Big To-Do
Review of: Drive By Truckers
(ATO Records) The Drive By Truckers represent one of America’s finest bands in the last 20 years. The Big read more...
Love It, Don't Choke It To Death
Review of: David Barbe & The Quick Hooks
(Ruth St. Records) David Barbe ranks as an influential sonic guru/producer/player on the Athens, Georgia, music scene. He’s produced records for
In The Meantime
Review of: Randall Bramblett
(Blue Ceiling) It's truly a rare thing to run across an album that just captivates my attention from the first spin, from the very opening notes. Such is the case with the new release from multi-instrumentalist, singer songwriter Randall Bramblett, a man best known to read more...
Day Out of Days: Stories
Review of: Sam Shepard
(Knopf) Mystery And Manners' Honorary Southern Artist Sam Shepard’s new book Day Out of Days proves the read more...
Slung a Rod
Review of: Atomic Boogie
(Resaca Records) The first time I saw Atomic Boogie live they were opening a show down at The High Lonesome Saloon in Rome, Georgia. The three-piece rockabilly band captivated my attention for 45 minutes of solid bombastic twang. No small wonder I could hardly wait to read more...
Panic In the Streets
Review of: Widespread Panic
(Zomba Video) On April 18, 1998, Widespread Panic’s Light Fuse Get Away album release performance in downtown Athens, Georgia, set the attendance record for at read more...
Cabin Fever
Review of: The Black Crowes
(Silver Arrow Records) Cabin Fever represents an official documentary of The Black Crowes' 13-day Before The Frost...Until The Freeze recording sessions at
Through The Scattered Trees
Review of: Lingo
(lingomusic.net) When I saw this young band open for The Tommy Talton Band in Athens earlier this year I was simply blown away. It’s been a while since I witnessed a band this young display so much sheer talent. The band is made up of four guys read more...
A Good Excuse
Review of: Dixie Tabernacle
(Storm Dog Records) Every time I hear Jimmy Hall open his mouth to sing, I feel like I’m in church. Better yet, an old fashioned Southern tent revival. His is a voice born of gospel and blues roots, mingled with a bit of Southern rock and delivered from deep read more...
Azalea
Review of: Jefferson Ross
(Jefferson Ross Records) Every spring, my mother would beckon me to help her empty out the ashes from our fireplace. We would then take it and spread it at the base of all the azaleas in our backyard. When I asked why we did this, she simply said, “The read more...
In The Sanctuary of Outcasts: A Memoir
Review of: Neil White
In the Sanctuary of Outcasts: A Memoir Neil White William Morrow By Diann Blakely Neil White had--or thought he had--everything. A newspaper/magazine entrepreneur read more...
Pat Conroy's "South of Broad": A Review
Review of: Pat Conroy
Published by Nan A. Talese/Doubleday Company, August 2009 Reviewed by Penne J. Laubenthal When I read my first Pat Conroy book in the early 70s, it was love at first paragraph. When I finished reading the read more...
Montreal 1997
Review of: Widespread Panic
(Widespread Panic Archives #4) At Montreal’s Club Soda Club venue on September 8, 1997, Widespread Panic crossed geographical and musical borders. All the read more...
At The Cut
Review of: Vic Chesnutt
(Constellation) Athens, Georgia, singer/songwriter Vic Chesnutt has existed as a musical force since the late 80s when R.E.M’s Michael Stipe produced his first two records. Madonna, Hootie & the Blowfish, The Smashing Pumpkins and R.E.M. have covered his songs.
Great American Bubble Factory
Review of: Drivin N Cryin
(Vintage Earth Music) Great American Bubble Factory counts as Drivin N Cryin’s first release in 12 years. The band originated in 1985, and earned a strong southern following. Leader Kevn Kinney pursued his solo career for the last read more...
Art of Field Recording Volume 2
Review of: Dust To Digital
Art of Field Recording Volume 2 Dust To Digital Dust To Digital By James Calemine On the heels of the GRAMMY-winning Art of Field Recording Volume read more...
Truth & Salvage
Review of: Truth & Salvage
Truth & Salvage EP Truth & Salvage Silver Arrow Records By James Calemine Truth & Salvage consists of four songwriters: Smitty Smith, Joe Edel, Walter Young and Scott Kennebrew. Asheville, North Carolina, served as the band's read more...
Before The Frost...
Review of: The Black Crowes
(Silver Arrow Records) Recorded live at Levon Helm’s barn on February 21, 22, 28 and March 1, 2009, Before The read more...
The Fine Print
Review of: Drive By Truckers
The Fine Print ( A Collection Of Oddities And Rarities 2003-2008) The Drive By Truckers New West Records By James Calemine These 12 unreleased and rare Drive read more...
Acquired Taste
Review of: Delbert McClinton
(New West) For his 30th studio album, Delbert McClinton enlists the help of Grammy Winning producer Don Was, and combined with some just plain excellent songwriting, he turns in the most introspective and intelligent record of his fifty year career. Delbert read more...
Boy Meets Girl
Review of: Stax Records
Boy Meets Girl Classic Soul Duets Stax/Concord Music By James Calemine Stax/Concord Records just released these 18 classic soul duets. Most of the artists compiled on this CD ranks as soul legends such as
Love is a War
Review of: The Corduroy Road
(Mule Train) The Corduroy Road formed in 2006 by Kentucky friends Drew Carman and Dylan Solise. The band has a knack for blending bluegrass, Americana, folk rock, and old-time country into a totally unique stew. Today, the band calls the Classic City of Athens, Georgia read more...
Please Call Home: The Big House Years
Review of: The Allman Brothers Band
A few years back I paid a visit to the famous “Big House” on Vineville Avenue in Macon, Georgia. Kirk and Kirsten West made me feel at home in this beautiful place, and I enjoyed every single moment I spent visiting. Even then, the house was beginning to become a museum. read more...
Murdering Oscar (and other love songs)
Review of: Patterson Hood
(Ruth St. Records) A sharp guitar riff opens the CD in the title track, and Patterson Hood sings in his merciless, gravel-tone voice, “I killed Oscar/Shot him in the head/Put the gun in his read more...
Take Me To The Water
Review of: Dust To Digital
Take Me To The Water: Immersion Baptism In Vintage Music Dust To Digital Dust To Digital Recordings By James Calemine Dust To Digital’s latest release, a handsome book called Take Me to the Water: Immersion Baptism In Vintage read more...
Street Singers, Soul Shakers, Rebels With A Cause
Review of: Candice Dyer
Street Singers, Soul Shakers, Rebels With A Cause : Music From Macon This amazing coffee table book weighs in at nearly 300 pages, and is chock full of beautiful photographs and articles on the many great artists who called Macon, Georgia home. read more...
Huntsville 1996
Review of: Widespread Panic
Huntsville 1996 Widespread Panic Widespread Panic Archives Release #3 By James Calemine On April 3, 1996, Widespread Panic performed at the Von read more...
Together Through Life
Review of: Bob Dylan
Together Through Life Bob Dylan Columbia Records By James Calemine Dylan produced Together Through Life, his 33rd studio read more...
Blame it On My DNA
Review of: Diane Durrett
dianedurrett.com When I met Diane Durrett down at The High Lonesome Saloon in Georgia last year, I had no idea who I was meeting. I never knew just what an accomplished singer/songwriter I was shaking hands with. I read more...
Driving Music City
Review of: Diane Durrett
Diane Durrett moved from Atlanta to Nashville with a head full of dreams and a heart full of song. Once there, like most others, she immediately found that she needed a day job in order to work on her songwriting and pursue her dreams of performing. While most songwriters end up as read more...
Valdosta 1989
Review of: Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic Archive Series #2 Valdosta 1989 Widespread Panic By James Calemine Volume 2 of the mighty Widespread Panic’s Archive Series read more...
Carbondale 2000
Review of: Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic Archives Release #1 Carbondale 12/1/00 Widespread Records By James Calemine “ Jack was really a jester Who held his one good eye on the queen…” By December 2000—when
Last Time
Review of: Evanscapps
(Rock Ridge Music) The first time I heard this record was a few years ago. The guys had put it out independently, and I recall thinking it was just a really great rockin’ record. Well, after a few years, and after serious remastering and with a great record read more...
Warpaint Live
Review of: The Black Crowes
Warpaint Live The Black Crowes Silver Arrow Records By James Calemine Last March The Black Crowes released their first studio CD in seven years,
Potato Hole
Review of: Booker T. Jones
Potato Hole Booker T. Jones Anti Records By James Calemine Memphis luminary Booker T. Jones released his first solo CD in two decades on April 21, 2009. This instrumental CD, recorded in Athens, Georgia, and San Francisco, California, proves a read more...
Live Notes From Athens
Review of: The Tommy Talton Band
(Hittin’ The Note) The Tommy Talton Band kick it up yet another notch on this, their sophomore release, recorded live in Athens, Georgia in 2008. The show was held at The Melting Point, a beautiful listening room in Athens. Besides the guitar man himself, the read more...
Genius: The Ultimate Collection
Review of: Ray Charles
Genius: The Ultimate Collection Ray Charles Concord Records By James Calemine This 21 song anthology contains Albany, Georgia, native Ray Charles' most influential recordings for Atlantic, ABC-Paramount and the Tangerine labels after 1960. read more...
Don’t Wake Albert
Review of: Highly Kind
(Rockin’ Camel) Johnny Sandlin told me months ago that he was producing an album for a band called Highly Kind, and that it was going to be a good one. Well, he was right. The name of the band had me thinking “jam band.” I kind of read more...
Juke Joint Jump/Struttin' My Stuff
Review of: Elvin Bishop
(Raven) Elvin Bishop was right in the middle of that whole Capricorn Records scene in Macon during the seventies, and although I already knew him as a primo guitarist with Paul Butterfield's Blues Band, it wasn’t until he “went country” that I became a die read more...
The Year I Grew Up
Review of: Clay Cook
I’ve been watching and listening to Clay Cook for years. The first time I ever heard any of his music I was at his Grandmother’s home, doing interviews for a book I was writing about his uncle, her son, Doug Gray. The late Peggy Gray was so very proud of her son’s read more...
Dixieland Delight
Review of: Clay Travis
As we head into the off season, now that the recruiting season is over (mostly), there might be no better time to pick up and read Clay Travis's
Baby, They Told Us We Would Rise Again
Review of: Bloodkin
(Sci-Fidelity Records) Baby, They Told Us We Would Rise Again counts as
Ready For the Flood
Review of: Mark Olson & Gary Louris
Ready For the Flood Mark Olson & Gary Louris New West Records By James Calemine It's been over 14 years since Mark Olson and Gary Louris collaborated on The Jayhawks' 1995 read more...
Already Free
Review of: The Derek Trucks Band
Already Free The Derek Trucks Band RCA/Victor Records By James Calemine Already Free, Derek Trucks’ sixth studio release opens with an absolutely killer rendition of
Art of Field Recording Volume 1
Review of: Dust To Digital
Art of Field Recording Volume 1 Dust-To-Digital Dust-To-Digital By James Calemine This Grammy nominated collection contains music that's never be heard until the relase of the Art of Field Recording Volume 1. Dust To Digital releases read more...
Chris Darrow/Under My Own Disguise
Review of: Chris Darrow
Chris Darrow/Under My Own Disguise Chris Darrow Everloving Records/Conqueroo By James Calemine Chris Darrow made two great albums--Chris Darrow and Under My Own Disguise--in 1973 and 1974. This year these two classics will be read more...
The Spirit of Christmas
Review of: Ray Charles
The Spirit of Christmas Ray Charles Concord Records By James Calemine Originally released in 1985, Ray Charles' Spirit of Christmas ranks as one of the most soulful Christmas albums ever recorded. Concord Records recently re-released read more...
More Dirty Laundry: The Soul of Black Country
Review of: Various Artists
More Dirty Laundry: The Soul of Black Country Various Artists Trikont By James Calemine The genius of this collection resides in defying musical prejudices. This CD proves black artists appreciated and recorded songs by white country musicians. read more...
Boots, Buckles and Spurs
Review of: Various Artists
(Legacy) “I grew up dreamin’ of being a cowboy/ And loving the cowboy ways Pursuin’ a life of my high ridin’ heroes/I burned up my childhood days...” -Willie Nelson. “My Heroes Have read more...
Piece Of My Heart: The Best of 1969 - 1978
Review of: Bonnie Bramlett
(Raven/Australia) I maintain my opinion that Bonnie Bramlett is still the "Queen of Southern Rock and Soul." If you don’t believe me, just check out this new compilation disc from Raven Records in Australia. It’s enough to make a brother shout.
Lifeboat
Review of: Jimmy Herring
Lifeboat Jimmy Herring City Hall Records By James Calemine Jimmy Herring is a seasoned professional. Currently serving as lead guitarist for the mighty
Lucky Old Sun (Deluxe Version)
Review of: Kenny Chesney
(Blue Chair) I have seen a lot of other reviews of Kenny Chesney’s new album that berated him for the lack of what they call “country music” on his new album, and kind of dismissing it as “island music.” well, truth be known, it read more...
Live In London and Paris
Review of: Otis Redding
Live In London and Paris Otis Redding Stax/Concord By James Calemine In March of 1967 Otis Redding, at the peak of his career, crossed the Atlantic to perform for his read more...
Zebulon
Review of: Don Chambers and Goat
Zebulon Don Chambers & Goat Warm Electronic Recordings By James Calemine Recorded in Athens, Georgia, Don Chambers’ Zebulon ranks as one of the best releases of 2008.
Acid Tongue
Review of: Jenny Lewis
Acid Tongue Jenny Lewis Warner Brothers By James Calemine Founding member of Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis was a child actress and continued acting until 2001. Then Lewis began recording with the
The Imus Ranch Record
Review of: Various Artists
(New West) Bekka Bramlett has a mystical effect on me. She always has, even as backing singer for Faith Hill, or dueting with Sam Moore, Billy Burdette or Joe Cocker. But like her mother before her, soul sensation Bonnie Bramlett, and her daddy Delaney for that matter, she read more...
Marc Ford & The Neptune Blues Club
Review of: Marc Ford
Marc Ford & The Neptune Blues Club Marc Ford Shrapnel Records By James Calemine The Neptune Blues Club counts as Marc Ford's third solo CD. Of course, Ford's musical read more...
Love on the Inside (Deluxe Fan Edition)
Review of: Sugarland
(Mercury Nashville) I have really enjoyed watching Sugarland’s rocket ride to the top of the country charts over the past few years. Like so many others, I was hooked from the very first time I saw Jennifer Nettles smiling and singing “Baby Girl” on read more...
Now It's Tomorrow
Review of: Randall Bramblett
(New West) For his seventh solo album, Randall Bramblett sticks with the same band, producer (Gerry Hanson) and Atlanta studio he used for his excellent 2006 CD Rich Someday, and the read more...
Doc Holliday
Review of: Doc Holliday
(Rock Candy) After building a reputation throughout the south for nine years as Roadhouse, Doc Holliday changed their name and came blazing out of Warner Robbins, Georgia in 1979 with read more...
Snake Oil
Review of: Lefty Williams Band
Down in Atlanta, Georgia there lives a young man who is destined to join Duane Allman among the greatest Georgia based guitarists ever to play blues and Southern Rock. His name is Lefty Williams, and the reason he is called Lefty is because he is missing a right arm. But hey, read more...
Never Ending Soul Food Tour
Review of: Jinright's
Jinright's Seafood House 2815 Glynn Avenue Brunswick, Georgia 31520 912-267-1590 James Calemine’s “Never Ending Soul Food Tour” includes documented visits to barbecue joints, catfish dens, chicken shacks and any establishment read more...
Sidewalk Caesars
Review of: Scrapomatic
Sidewalk Caesars Scrapomatic Landslide Records By James Calemine Scrapomatic is a band full of seasoned professionals. Mike Mattison (vocals) and Paul Olsen (guitars/vocals) are old friends. The rhythm section—Ted Pecchio on read more...
The Very Best of Little Richard
Review of: Little Richard
(Specialty) People are always asking me, "Buffalo, who were the original Southern Rockers?" Well, I always say The Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The truth, however, is that Southern Rock and Roll was born as far back as 1955, when read more...
Forever Green
Review of: Chuck Leavell
Forever Green: The History and Hope of the American Forest Chuck Leavell Longstreet Press By James Calemine “The Earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed accordingly read more...
Ecology of A Cracker Childhood
Review of: Janisse Ray
Ecology of A Cracker Childhood Janisse Eay Milkweed Editions By James Calemine
Traveler's Rest
Review of: Outformation
(Red Eye USA) Atlanta’s Outformation falls into that narrow gap between Southern Rock and jam band, and on this, their second album they display elements of both. Traveler’s read more...
Devil in the Details
Review of: Hogjaw
Hogjaw is back and they are dishing up their heavy Southern Rock with an oversized ladle. The cover art on the CD rocks, which really sets the stage for the music, which is like a cross between Lynyrd Skynyrd and Metallica. Jonboat Jones (vocal/guitar), Craig Self (lead guitar), read more...
Riverbend Music Festival: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Review of: The Black Crowes
The Riverbend Music Festival Chattanooga, Tennessee The Black Crowes 6/6/08 By James Calemine Chris and Rich Robinson played their first official gig in read more...
Amy LaVere: Live at The Variety Playhouse
Review of: Amy LaVere
Amy LaVere Live Variety Playhouse Atlanta, Georgia 5/30/08 By James Calemine “We gon’ read more...
Someone Else's Shoes - In Europe
Review of: Tommy Talton
(Hittin' The Note) I had this dream the other night, and I was walking in the park. It was a beautiful summer afternoon, and just before dusk when I stopped at one of the many park benches that lined the walkway. As I started to sit down, I noticed a pair of men’s read more...
The Bourbon Dynasty
Review of: The Bourbon Dynasty
The Bourbon Dynasty The Bourbon Dynasty Night World Records It's good to have Charles Walston back making music. Almost a decade ago, Walston's previous band, the Vidalias, were part of a roots and country music resurgence in read more...
The Very Best of Outlaw Country
Review of: Various Artists
(Legacy) The thing that sets this compilation apart from the plethora of others that are always being flooded into the market is the fact that it brings together Southern rockers and “outlaw” country artists on one excellent CD. It could be used as a read more...
Honeydew
Review of: Shawn Mullins
Honeydew Shawn Mullins Vanguard Records By James Calemine Atlanta, Georgia, native Shawn Mullins gave up a military career for songwriting. He began recording in the early 90s and his songs soon found their way into radio and TV read more...
Street Survivors - Deluxe Edition
Review of: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Street Survivors - Deluxe Edition 30th Anniversary (Geffen/UMe) Mere days after the release of Street Survivors in 1977, the Freebird fell to the ground, silencing one of Southern Rock’s finest voices in Ronnie Van Zant. read more...
Warpaint
Review of: The Black Crowes
Warpaint The Black Crowes Silver Arrow Records By James Calemine Warpaint represents Atlanta, Georgia’s, The Black Crowes’ seventh studio album. Seven years have elapsed since the Crowes recorded an album of read more...
Dog Eat Dog World
Review of: Chris Hicks
Chris Hicks has paid his dues and more. First, as lead guitarist and vocalist for Loose Change, a band that caught the ear of music mogul Alan Walden, who maintains even today that Hicks is the “best undiscovered artist of our time.” Then Hicks was hired to play read more...
Vagabonds
Review of: Gary Louris
Vagabonds Gary Louris Rykodisc By James Calemine Gary Louris, co-founder of the Jayhawks, proves songwriting remains his strength. Louris, an outstanding guitarist, concentrates on the flowing word grams of his lyrics amid this read more...
Catch
Review of: William Tonks
Catch William Tonks Ghostmeat Records By James Calemine Recorded within a year at David Barbe's Chase Park Transductions Studio in Athens, read more...
Free Somehow
Review of: Widespread Panic
Free Somehow Widespread Panic Widespread Records By James Calemine The Athens, Georgia, band
Brighter Than Creation's Dark
Review of: Drive By Truckers
(New West) Athens, Georgia's Drive-By Truckers are the undisputed torch bearers of Southern Rock in the 21st century. They are as Dixie Fried as Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker or the Allman Brothers. They blend all of their influences from Southern rock, country, folk, punk read more...
Brighter Than Creation's Dark
Review of: Drive By Truckers
Brighter Than Creation’s Dark Drive By Truckers New West Records By James Calemine “Trying to hold steady on the righteous read more...
Darius Goes West
Review of: Logan Smalley
“Something’s gonna happen like…Just spark the whole world,” exclaims Darius, the star of the award-winning independent documentary feature film Darius Goes West (DGW), 2007. read more...
Cappy's Oyster Bar (Volume One)
Review of: Cappy's Oyster Bar
Cappy’s Oyster Bar 2500 Cobb Parkway Kennesaw, Georgia 30152 770-590-9881 By James Calemine
How Low Can You Go?
Review of: Anthology of the String Bass
How Low Can You Go? Anthology of the String Bass Various Artists Dust-To-Digital By James Calemine This 3 CD set explores the earliest recorded history of the string bass. These recordings include a scope of symphony read more...
Salvation On Sand Mountain
Review of: Dennis Covington
Salvation On Sand Mountain Dennis Covington Penguin Books By James Calemine “This descent into himself will, at the same time, be a descent into his region. It will be a descent through the darkness of the familiar into a world read more...
Desperate Man Blues
Review of: Joe Bussard
Desperate Man Blues: Discovering The Roots of American Music The Story of Joe Bussard Dust-To-Digital By James Calemine Desperate Man Blues tells the story of Fonotone read more...
I Belong To This Band
Review of: Sacred Harp Recordings
I Belong To This Band: Eighty-Five Years of Sacred Harp Recordings Various Artists Dust-To-Digital By James Calemine This 30-song collection serves as a companion to the film Awake, My Soul: The Story of Sacred Harp. Sacred Harp Singing read more...
Archives Volume One
Review of: Gram Parsons & The Flying Burrito Brothers
(Amoeba) This double CD documents two live performances by The Flying Burrito Brothers featuring Gram Parsons at the Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, in April 1969. I have owned the bootleg of one of these shows for a few years, but this official release sounds read more...
Blues Sweet Blues
Review of: Music Maker Relief Foundation
Blues Sweet Blues Various Music Maker Artists Music Maker Series #91 & #92 By James Calemine Most of these songs (recorded from 1994-2006) on Blues Sweet Blues can be heard for the first time. Only Music Maker's stellar read more...
Never Ending Soul Food Tour
Review of: Southern Soul Barbecue
James Calemine's "Never Ending Soul Food Tour" includes documented visits to barbecue joints, catfish dens, chicken shacks and any establishment serving memorable vittles. All Photos by James Calemine Southern Soul Barbecue (Part Two) 2020 Demere read more...
Live At the Avalon Ballroom 1969
Review of: Gram Parsons With The Flying Burrito Brothers
Live At The Avalon Ballroom 1969 Gram Parsons with The Flying Burrito Brothers Amoeba Records By James Calemine If you're reading this review, chances are you've heard of
Song of America
Review of: Various Artists
Song of America Various Artists 31 Tigers Records By James Calemine This 50-song, 3 CD collection tells the story of America through songs from the year 1492 through modern times. Song of America contains a diverse line-up of artists read more...
Feast of Snakes
Review of: Harry Crews
Feast of Snakes Harry Crews Macmillan Publishing By James Calemine November in Mystic, Georgia, means it's time for the Feast of Snakes. This novel remains one of the Georgia writer
GONZO: The Life of Hunter S. Thompson
Review of: Jann S. Wenner & Corey Seymour
GONZO: The Life of Hunter S. Thompson Jann S. Wenner & Corey Seymour Little, Brown and Company By James read more...
Dreams To Remember: The Legacy of Otis Redding
Review of: Otis Redding
Dreams To Remember: The Legacy of Otis Redding Otis Redding STAX Records By James Calemine Dreams To Remember emerges as the first full-length Otis Redding DVD. December 10, 2007, represents the 40th Anniversary of Redding's death. This read more...
Black Snake Moan
Review of: Craig Brewer
Black Snake Moan Craig Brewer-Director Paramount Vantage By James read more...
Come Early Morning
Review of: Joey Lauren Adams
Come Early Morning Joey Lauren Adams-Director The Weinstein Company
Sirens Of The Ditch
Review of: Jason Isbell
(New West Records) Recorded several years ago at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Sirens of the Ditch represents ex- Drive By Truckers Jason Isbell’s first solo CD. Mixed read more...
Brothers Of A Feather
Review of: Chris & Rich Robinson
Brothers Of A Feather Chris & Rich Robinson Eagle Records By James Calemine Recorded in April 2006, during a break from the Black Crowes tour, Atlanta’s Chris and Rich Robinson showcase 14 songs on Brothers Of A read more...
Living Dangerously
Review of: TGZ
(King Mojo) TGZ stands for Toler, Gary and Zinner, namely “Dangerous” Dan Toler, formerly of The Allman Brothers Band and more recently Dickey Betts and Great Southern; Ron Gary, the piano wizard who plays with Webster Young and Tom Browne; and Matt read more...
Relentless
Review of: Jason Aldean
(Broken Bow) Georgia boy Jason Aldean, the Academy of Country Music's Top New Male Vocalist for 2006, is back with a brilliant second release that features several tunes co-written with John Rich. Aldean is once again produced by Michael Knox. Jason read more...
Southern Soul Barbecue
Review of:
Southern Soul Barbecue 318 Mallory Street Saint Simons Island, Georgia 31522 912-634-7516 www.southernsoulbbq.com By James Calemine James Calemine’s read more...
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room-Savannah, Georgia
Review of:
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room 107 West Jones Street Savannah, Georgia 31401 912-232-5997 James Calemine’s “Never Ending Soul Food Tour” includes documented visits to barbecue joints, catfish dens, chicken shacks and any read more...
Red Dirt Marijuana & Other Tastes
Review of: Terry Southern
Red Dirt Marijuana & Other Tastes Terry Southern Citadel Underground By read more...
Driving With The Devil
Review of: Neal Thompson
Driving With The Devil by Neal Thompson Crown Publishing “We read more...
Whitt's Barbecue
Review of: Penne J. Laubenthal
Whitt's #1 1397 East Elm Street Athens, Alabama 35611 256-232-7928 My sister had a Whitt's BBQ sandwich for breakfast this morning. She called me on her cell phone to say excitedly that the Whitt's in downtown Athens, read more...
The Point
Review of: Tishamingo
(Magnatude Records) One of Athens, Georgia’s rockingest ensembles,Tishamingo is back with their third release, The Point, produced by John Kerzweg (Creed, Jewel, Puddle of Mudd). Tishamingo is an outstanding example of what I call the read more...
Atlanta Twelve String
Review of: Blind Willie McTell
Atlanta Twelve String Blind Willie McTell Atlantic Records By James Calemine Perhaps the most gifted of all blues artists, Blind Willie McTell ranks as a seminal figure in American music. Born in Thomson, Georgia, in May of 1898 (some say 1901); McTell's read more...
Rich Someday
Review of: Randall Bramblett
I was first introduced to Randall Bramblett during his days with Sea Level, and his prowess on sax, vocals and keyboards have only grown throughout the years. His current band is super funky, as witnessed during their set for the Big House Foundation gala a few months back. read more...
The Lost Crowes
Review of: The Black Crowes
The Lost Crowes The Black Crowes Rhino Entertainment Company By James Calemine The Lost Crowes comprises two Black Crowes recording sessions that remained buried a decade before their release. The first CD, Tall—an old read more...
Georgia Drumbeat
Review of: James Davis
Georgia Drumbeat James Davis Music Maker Relief Foundation By James Calemine Born in 1931, James Davis grew up on a farm in Perry, Georgia, located in rural Houston County, near Macon. He began playing guitar as a child. His sister is the read more...
Get Your House In Order
Review of: Mudcat
Mudcat Get Your House In Order 30 Miles Up By James Calemine Music Maker trustee Mudcat recorded 16 songs with no overdubs in September 2006 at Zero Return Studios in Atlanta. Ten of the compositions are originals. Several of the other tunes were read more...
New Lease On Life
Review of: William Bell
New Lease On Life William Bell Wilbe Records William Bell's music epitomizes the classic Stax/Volt sound. With Stax Records, Bell joined other musicians like Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, The Staple Singers, Eddie Floyd, Albert King, Issac Hayes, read more...
Swig From the Acid Bottle
Review of: Three Five Human
Three Five Human Swig From the Acid Bottle By James Calemine Three Five Human ranks as a formidable rock and roll group. The Atlanta band's third CD, Swig From the Acid Bottle, contains various jewels that may propel them into mainstream exposure. The read more...
Portraits and Songs From the Roots of America
Review of: Various Artists
Enclosed within the new Music Maker book titled Portraits and Songs From the Roots of America rests a CD featuring 22 different Music Maker artists. This collection reveals some of the country’s most neglected Southern musicians who remain pioneers and vital sources read more...
The Feelings Of Beverly "Guitar" Watkins
Review of: Beverley "Guitar" Watkins
Recorded at Cleantracks Studio in Vinemont, Alabama, these ten songs illustrate the true guitar mastery of Beverly Watkins. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 6, 1939, Watkins played guitar for the legendary Piano Red when she was a teenager. This new release read more...
Chicken Raid
Review of: Frank Edwards
The quiet droning sound of Frank Edwards’ Chicken Raid resembles a blues mantra from a man who dedicated his 90-year old life to music. Edwards actively played the blues for nearly 80 years, from 1923 until 2002. Frank Edwards ranks as one of Atlanta’s greatest read more...
Born In Newton County
Review of: Cora Mae Bryant
Cora Mae Bryant is the daughter of Georgia guitar legend Curly Weaver. She grew up on the countryside outside Atlanta. As a girl, Cora Mae attended house parties with Curly Weaver and Blind Willie McTell. On Cora’s latest soulful release, Born in Newton read more...
H & H Restaurant, Macon, GA
Review of:
H & H Restaurant Macon, Georgia by Michael Buffalo Smith How many times have we heard the old adage, "don't judge a book by it's cover?" Never has that statement held more truth than in the case of The H & H read more...
Bonnie Bramlett w/ The Capricorn Rhythm Section -
Review of: Bonnie Bramlett
BONNIE BRAMLETT THE CAPRICORN RHYTHM SECTION Nashville Station, Macon, GA March 25, 2006 “Oh, how I wish that I had written this song,” lamented Bonnie Bramlett, from the stage of the Nashville read more...
Etta Baker with Taj Mahal
Review of: Etta Baker
Etta Baker was born in 1913 amid the hills of Morganton, North Carolina. She began playing guitar at age four. Baker remains the premiere female Piedmont blues guitar instrumentalist in the country. Taj Mahal, tireless Music Maker consultant, elucidated on read more...
High Steppin' Mama
Review of: Clyde Langford
Clyde Langford learned guitar from Texas blues great Sam “Lightning” Hopkins’ older brother Joe “Thunder” Hopkins. Born in Centralville, Texas, Langford worked in cotton fields, joined the Army, and dug wells for a living, but never stopped playing read more...
The Black Crowes - Freak 'N' Roll...Into The Fog
Review of: Black Crowes
The Black Crowes Freak’N’Roll ...Into The Fog The Black Crowes All Join Hands The Fillmore, San Francisco (Eagle Vision) Damn, it’s good to see Rich and Chris Robinson together again. This show, recorded during their read more...
No Saints, No Saviors
Review of: The Allman Brothers Band
No Saints, No Saviors My Years With The Allman Brothers Band by Willie Perkins (Mercer University Press) Between the years of 1970 and 1989, Willie Perkins worked for the Allman Brother’s Band and as read more...
Between Rock And A Hard Place: Chuck Leavell
Review of: Chuck Leavell
Between Rock And A Hard Place Chuck Leavell with J. Marshall Craig (Mercer University Press) Chuck Leavell is a musician that has been around to see a lot of music history, and has been a big part of music history. In his new read more...
Skydog: The Duane Allman Story
Review of: The Allman Brothers Band
Skydog The Duane Allman Story by Randy Poe (Backbeat Books) I have been waiting on this book for years, and to coin a cliche, it was well worth the wait. Randy Poe has gone deep, digging through source material with read more...
Louisiana Truckstop
Review of: Barbara Cue
Barbara Cue contains an abundance of talent. This all-star Athens, Georgia, line-up has crafted a timeless Americana banquet on Louisiana Truckstop. Todd Nance and William Tonks shared a common passion for NRBQ (whom Barbara Cue opened an Athens show for last year) and soon read more...
Tom Dowd & The Language of Music
Review of: Tom Dowd
(Palm Pictures) thelanguageofmusic.com The documentary Rolling Stone calls “brilliant” and rock critic Dave Marsh cites as “ a truly beautiful picture,” pays read more...
Back Where It All Begins
Review of: Dickey Betts & Great Southern
Back Where It All Begins - Live At The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum (Eaglevision) Like many, I was really and truly bummed out a few years ago when Dickey Betts left the Allman Brothers Band. I just knew it would read more...
Sweetheart of the Rodeo
Review of: The Byrds
The Byrds’ classic country record, 1968’s Sweetheart of the Rodeo, has been reissued with unreleased Gram Parsons vocal tracks. This new two-CD release proves worth the price for just the read more...
Another Joyous Occasion
Review of: Widespread Panic
“Four train days get me back to New Orleans,” are the opening lines on Widespread Panic’s new live release, Another Joyous Occasion. The eleven song recording is Panic’s debut read more...
Live At The Atlanta International Pop Festival
Review of: The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band Live At The Atlanta International Pop Festival (Columbia/Legacy) At the risk of sounding cliche, or even worse, like a fan-boy who lives and breathes in peach hues and mushroom induced hallucinations of grandeur, I just gotta say read more...
Ghost Train From Georgia
Review of: Grinderswitch
Grinderswitch Ghost Train From Georgia (New South) On their first all-new album in 30 years Dru Lombar and his band turn in an utterly fantastic record. “Dixie Flyer” has already been getting good air play in Europe, and read more...
Eddie Stone and Friends
Review of: Eddie Stone and Friends
Eddie Stone and Friends (Phoenix Music) Just like the good ol’ days of Capricorn Records, Eddie Stone and the folks at Phoenix Music have assembled a cool new Southern Rock album packed with great tunes and some heavy weight guest artists. Eddie, who read more...
Rebel Souls
Review of: Doc Holliday
Doc Holliday Rebel Souls (Phoenix) Doc Holliday pays apt tribute to some of their own musical heroes on their latest outing, Rebel Souls, including not only Southern brothers like The Allman Brothers Band, Marshall Tucker and Lynyrd read more...
Kevn Kinney's Sun Tangled Angel Revival
Review of: Kevn Kinney
(Compadre) Singer-songwriter, troubadour, former Drivin’ and Cryin’ front man Kevn Kinney has assembled his own Southern theme album, with help from Gibb Droll, Bryan Howard and Dave Johnson along with Dave Schools, Edwin McCain, and a slew of others, and read more...
One Ruined Life of a Bronze Tourist
Review of: Col. Bruce Hampton
One Ruined Life of a Bronze Tourist was originally recorded in 1978 for Atlanta’s Pine Tree Records. Terminus Records has now re-released the album, complete with three bonus tracks. Colonel Bruce is a rare breed—he abides by no conventions or read more...
Southscape
Review of: Chuck Leavell
Chuck Leavell commands respect in the music world. He’s played piano with the Rolling Stones (for half the band’s history), Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Dr. John, The Allman Brothers, Sea Level, The Black Crowes and many others. Leavell’s read more...
Arkansas
Review of: Col. Bruce Hampton
Colonel Bruce Hampton’s album Arkansas, like his 1978 One Ruined Life of A Bronze Tourist, has been recently re-released on Atlanta’s Terminus Records. Arkansas was originally recorded in 1987 and released on Landslide Records. Arkansas certainly read more...
New Earth Mud
Review of: Chris Robinson
New Earth Mud sounds like a man surviving his worst professional fear…in this case Chris Robinson facing the breakup of his band, the Black Crowes. These twelve songs evoke a quiet, laid back mood as if subdued sounds reconcile a faded past with an unknown future. read more...
The Mess Is On
Review of: Mudcat
The Mess Is On counts as Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck’s fifth CD. Dudeck, a great slide guitarist serves on the Board of Directors as a vital musical contributor to the nonprofit organization Music Maker, an establishment dedicated to assisting poor southern read more...
I'll Be Young Once Too
Review of: Mudcat
I’ll Be Young Once Too serves as a mighty fine musical lubricant… Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck recorded and mixed this new release, his fifth, in three days during August 2004 at Cabbagetown Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. An inveterate road read more...
Journal On A Shelf
Review of: Bill Sheffield
Journal On A Shelf, Bill Sheffield’s eighth CD, evokes a fluid musical tapestry that creates a laid back mood. The songs sound as if he were playing his old Martin guitar over a whiskey jar on the rotted steps of some front porch. Recorded in his read more...
Green Winter
Review of: Love Tractor
Love Tractor Green Winter (Fundamental) I have always liked Love Tractor, and with Green Winter, the Athens, Georgia band once again turns in an excellent album. This is the second record in less than a year from the read more...
You're Gonna Need That Pure Religion
Review of: Reverend Pearly Brown
Born August 18, 1915 in Abbeville, Georgia, Reverend Pearly Brown lived his life preaching and singing about the word of God to common folk in the streets. Rev. Brown spoke of his childhood: “I was born blind so I have never seen the world. My mother died when I was quite read more...
The Hard Way
Review of: Tinsley Ellis
The Hard Way represents Tinsley Ellis' ninth solo album where for the first time he serves as the read more...
A Blessing And A Curse
Review of: Drive By Truckers
(New West Records) Recorded at David Barbe’s Chase Park Studios in Athens, Georgia, A Blessing And A Curse marks
The Dirty South
Review of: Drive By Truckers
The Dirty South The Drive By Truckers New West Records By James Calemine The Dirty South stands as
Decoration Day
Review of: Drive By Truckers
Decoration Day The Drive By Truckers New West Records By James Calemine “Just cause I don’t run my mouth don’t mean I got nothing to say…”
Pizza Deliverance
Review of: Drive By Truckers
(New West Records) Pizza Deliverance counts as The Drive by read more...
Gangstabilly
Review of: Drive By Truckers
Gangstabilly The Drive By Truckers New West Records By James Calemine Gangstabilly counts as the first