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Various Bluegrass, Blues and
Jazz Albums
Review By Steven Stone
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Raul Malo
Lucky One
Maverick's frontman Raul Malo's latest solo project is his first release in seven years that features all original material. Rather than stay in one genre, Lucky One bounces from country to Tex-Mex to roots rock and roll. Regardless of the musical mood Malo's mellifluous tenor combines equal parts of Frank Sinatra, George Jones, and Roy Orbison in one beautiful package. Every tune will give you goose bumps.
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Gurf Morlix
Last Exit To Happyland
Sporting the dreariest cover photo in the history of recorded music, Last Exit ToHappyland is much sunnier than the cover portends. GurfMurlix's mature perspective and multi-instrumental chops make for a formidable solo project. His songs combine dark lyrics with bright hooks and bridges. Morlix's vocals won't win any awards, but duo partners Patty Griffin and Ruthie Foster make up for his vocal deficiencies.
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Andy Friedman & The Other Failures
Weary Things
This New Yorker cartoonist turned roots-country singer's tunes have garnered a ton of critical praise from big-city critics who should know better. His overly cerebral ultra-clever take on Americana may be a turn-on for jaded urban dwellers, but to this Colorado hick his efforts, and that is what they are, try too hard and rarely succeed.
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Colleen McFarland|
Let It Shine
Coleen McFarland's fourth album features thirteen original songs, all of them winners. With equal parts of country, folk, and Muscle Shoals white soul, her tunes are both catchy and heartfelt. She can go from quiet introspection to put-out-the lights blues-belting in less than a four-beat measure. Her tune "Drowning the World" will break your heart if you let it.
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