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Title: B.B. Driftwood – Southward Bound
Genre: World Music, Blues, Jazz
Description: What happens when a blues musician travels the world? On B.B. Driftwood’s latest on Opus 3 recording you can hear a veritable gumbo of multi-cultural musical influences. I hear afro-pop, jazz, funk, R&B, and of course blues in Driftwood’s music. He combines American roots with African and European branches to form a unique musical hybrid. The sound, as is the norm for Opus 3 recordings, is pure ear-candy.
Rating (0- 10): Overall – 8, Sonically – 9
Title: Dan Miraldi – Sugar & Adrenaline
Genre: Rock, Pop
Description: Guitar-driven rock & roll will never die, as is proven by a new album by Dan Miraldi. For his fourth release, Miraldi used his regular touring band and recorded at Danger Hose Studios in Cleveland. With vocals that remind me of the early Boston punk band, The Nervous Eaters, and guitar histrionics worthy of Billy Squier, Miraldi lives up to the lyrics of his song, “Few Rock Harder.”
Rating (0- 10): Overall – 8, Sonically – 8
Title: Starroy – Ocho for Willow
Genre: Rock,
Description: If you’re a fan of young Southern rock bands like Blackstone Cherry, you should add Starroy to your fave bands list. Although this is their first album, Starroy has been together for years and has opened for Lynard Skynard. Recorded in only two days, Starroy’s tight, riff driven, rollicking rock and roll will have you reaching for a cold beer and a hot lighter (to hold over your head) in no time.
Rating (0- 10): Overall – 8, Sonically – 8
Title: Lonesome River Band – Chronology Volume II
Genre: Bluegrass
Description: This is the second disc in Lonesome River Band’s Chronology project, where they have gone back through their thirty years of albums and re-recorded songs based on their fan’s input. And instead of merely “covering” the originals, these new versions are completely new arrangements and they definitely equal the originals for energy and dynamism. The eight-song EP was recorded at Mountain Fever Studios and mastered by Bill Wolf.
Rating (0- 10): Overall – 8, Sonically – 8
Title: Billy Joe Shaver – Live at Billy Bob’s Texas – 2-disc CD and DVD
Genre: Country, Roots, Rock
Description: This may be Billy Joe Shaver’s first live album at Billy Bob’s Texas Roadhouse, but serious fans will remember his live recording Unshaven Shaver from 1995. Unshaven featured Eddie Shaver, Billy Joe’s late son, on lead guitar. Eddie was an amazing guitarist who could shred with the best of ’em. On Live at Billy Bobs Jeremy Lynn Woodall tackles the lead guitar parts. He’s good, but he’s no Eddie Shaver. Still, Billy Joe’s performance is solid, but with less fire than the earlier live performance. The image quality is very good, but the room bloom on the low frequencies is excessive.
Rating (0- 10): Overall – 8, Sonically – 7, Picture Quality – 8
