CD REVIEW - Elena Yeung - Dandelion

By W.J. Hallock

Elena Yeung  -  Dandelion

Independent

Released: June 2011

I love my “JOB!” And, I know just how Forrest Gump feels concerning a box of chocolates…… I’ll get a new CD in the mail, have not a clue who or what is waiting inside for me, I’ll open it….. and it’ll end up being Christmas morning!!! 

When Elena Yeung’s new CD, “Dandelion,” arrived, it came with a very polite, hand-written request to be reviewed. How nice, in this age of e-mails, texting and twitter to get correspondence personalized in the author’s own hand! A strong, but delicate and legible cursive….. with an attention to detail, etiquette and correctness like I haven’t seen in years. You bet I’ll review it Ms. Yeung!

CD REVIEW - Freeman and Williams - Freeman and Williams

By W.J. Hallock

Freeman and Williams - Freeman and Williams

Label: Mountain Roads Recordings

Released: January 2012

In my humble opinion, some of the finest singers I have ever heard, I heard in church. And I heard them as a little boy sitting on the piano bench next to my Mother as she played all those great old hymns during Sunday morning services. And to my impressionable little ears, she and her three sisters sang the most beautiful four part harmony in the world. To this day, those familial voices are still one of my favorite childhood memories. There is something so uplifting about great singers singing great harmony on a great song.

CD REVIEW - Steve Spurgin - Past Perfect

By Dan King

Steve Spurgin -  Past Perfect

Blue Night Records

Released: May, 2011

There have been so many wonderful story telling songwriters emerge from the state of Texas over the years, one gets the impression that when a car dealership in the Lone Star State needs a new salesman, they just hand each applicant a pair of boxing gloves and send them out to the service bay to settle who gets the job.

I mean, it’s ASSUMED they can each spin a tale!

CD REVIEW - Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa - It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Day

By W.J.  Hallock

Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa - It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Day

Record Label: Independent

Released: September, 2011

Experience, knowledge and age share common ground….. and the sum total of all three adds up to “comfort.” And comfort is a gift. And with this gift, you can find comfort in what you do, what you know, and most importantly….. in just who you are.

From the sounds of Wayne Taylor’s new release, Wayne has found his “comfort” zone. “It’s Gonna Be A Beautiful Day” is a perfect title for this release. It’s also one of the best cuts on the CD. Driving on the interstate, about two minutes into the very first song, “She Put The Tears In My Eyes“, I realized I wasn’t fighting traffic any more……. I was cruisin’! Comfort IS a gift….. Thank you Wayne.

CD REVIEW - Dale Ann Bradley - Somewhere South of Crazy

By Dan King

Dale Ann Bradley - Somewhere South of Crazy

Record Label: Compass Records

Released: August 30, 2011

It’s been the same story in real estate since the dawn of time: Location, Location, Location.

Drift into the world of recorded music and the prevailing mantra can become: Production, Production, Production.

“Hey kid, how are you gonna package that shiny object?”

CD REVIEW - Missy Werner - Three Kinds of Lonesome

By W.J.  Hallock

Missy Werner - Three Kinds of Lonesome

Record Label: Missy Werner Music

Released: 2011

Just about every aspect of this CD is first class. Missy has put together a project that is musically, artistically, visually and tastefully appealing. A lot of effort was put into making this a quality release.

The most important decision Missy made was bringing Jon Weisberger on board as Producer. His expertise, talent and input were invaluable to the result.

CD REVIEW - Tony Rice - The Bill Monroe Collection

By Dan King

Tony Rice  -  The Bill Monroe Collection

Record Label: Rounder

Released Jan.31, 2012

Ask Alison Krauss how she feels about Tony Rice and the answer comes short and sweet."Tony's music is my favorite music ever recorded.”

Tony Rice is equally positive in his take on Bill Monroe – “I see Bill Monroe in the same light as Miles Davis, absolutely the best….as pure as it gets.”

CD REVIEW - Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Del McCoury Band - American Legacies

BY: Dan King

Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Del McCoury Band - American Legacies

Record Label: McCoury Music

Release Date: April 12, 2011

Collaboration. The dictionary defines it as people from different origins working together toward a common goal. Collaboration is what made America great. On “American Legacies,” The Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Del McCoury Band come together in a brilliant collaboration of New Orleans Jazz and Bluegrass to make a CD that is authentic, well executed, interesting, and an absolute joy to listen to.

CD REVIEW - Three Tall Pines - All That's Left

By: W.J. Hallock

Three Tall Pines - All That's Left

Independent

Released: 2011

The four gentlemen in this band all should have been born about 100 years ago. Their melodies, lyrics, sound, feel, instrumentation and singing all hearken back to another place in time. The music on this CD is simple, spare, stark and austere….. but, authentic, honest and real. And the most impressive aspect of “All That’s Left” is the fact that all the songs presented here are originals. It’s very easy to take this music at face value, because there is nothing on the musical landscape that one can compare Three Tall Pines to. They are definitely one of a kind!

CD REVIEW - Della Mae - I Built This Heart

By: W.J. Hallock

Della Mae  - I Built This Heart

Released:  September 2011

Independent

When Della Mae members “Sunny,” “Captain,” “Juggles” and “Rosy” decided to invite  “Squawk” to join forces with them, did they already know how magical the result was going to be?  Did “Squawk” have any idea how good a home she was going to?  It’s been said that #1,  all good things happen for a reason…..  and #2, that where a person is, is usually right where they’re supposed to be. It must be true, because these five musicians really sound like they all belong together! Go ahead…. go to their web site, order your copy of their new CD, “I Built This Heart,” and ENJOY! Their web site is the only place you can get it. It’ll be some of the best money you’ve spent in a while, and your “ears” will love you for it!