Government Mule "Myths and Heroes"
Provogue; 2015
It is 2015 and one of the more divisive genres in music is no longer punk rock or hip hop, but jam bands. I hear more strong likes and dislikes (well at least more in my circle) than any other musical category. As for me, I would not want too much of this, but I can respect some of the more interesting bands out there, such as this. Government Mule is a strong quartet of musicians who have a fine release here, of appropriately live material and even more appropriately spans three full compact discs and a DVD. The blues/soul/rock approach is as you would expect and all of members hold up their end well. The nice part about this release is that it has interesting guest stars including Toots Hibbert, John Popper and Gregg Allman (no surprise there as Warren Haynes was an ‘Allman Brother’ as well as leader of this band). It is pretty simple, if you like this band or genre, you should be quite pleased with the sound and performances documented here. Although you may need a really open mind with many of the dub moves here, which I really enjoyed as much as the more standard fare.
© David Hintz
Joscho Stephan "Guitar Heroes"
MGL Musik; 2015
If you want fly acoustic guitar with light percussion and double bass in a mostly jazz format, then you may want to give this record a spin. Speed and style count more for interpretation in my view, but it is a fair listen if you appreciate guitar technique. There are some Dhango Reinhardt, Santana, George Harrison songs and many more including at least the 500th version of Hey Joe (and this is not one of the best 350). Guitar is one of my least favorite instruments in jazz, but it’s not full doctrine jazz, so there are moments.
© David Hintz
All Day Sucker "Denim Days"
TMB; 2015
First off, it ain’t folk. Second, if you like Styx and REO Speedwagon (envisioning themselves as Hall and Oates on occasion), you might like this. I really couldn’t finish any song, but I started on each and every one. I am no all day sucker.
© David Hintz
Puta Madre Brothers "Amor y Baura"
Rookie Records, 2015
Hot salsa works as food and music, and this Mariachi band has it heating up. They use indie rock moves as well and anyone that hails from ‘Mexicow, Australia’ certainly is creating their own path. This is snappy and fun and zips by all too quickly. I am sure they would be a treasure live, but this album has enough going for it that it is just as well to start here.
© David Hintz
Big John Bates "From the Bestiary to the Leathering Room"
Rookie Records, 2015
What began as a fine blues rock record quickly morphed into a highly exciting and engaging ride through rock music old and new. I was already contemplating a rave review based on the fine female vocal work from cellist Brandy Bones, rocking guitars, and exciting rhythms when they sealed the deal on the fourth cut with a brilliant cover of ‘Black Soul Choir’ by one of my all time favorite bands, 16 Horsepower. But it still has many great moments thereafter. This one I’ll be playing a long time and it could be filed under folk-rock, with plenty of roots and enough mix of acoustic and electric excitement. Oh, and one more great cover of Iggy Pop’s ‘The Passenger’. Great music, totally fitting into the ‘Denver Sound’ even though this hails from Vancouver, Canada.
© David Hintz
Richard Thompson "Still"
Proper, 2015
Still? Yes, still here and still great—that is all Richard Thompson fans want to know. Whatever Richard Thompson’s worst album is would still be a worthy listen as he just does not seem to do any wrong, whether he goes more acoustic or electric or no matter who his playing partners are. Jeff Tweedy produces, which is mostly an excuse for him to work with one of his favorites and it is great to hear Tweedy say what I have been saying for decades… “Richard’s been one of my favorite guitar players for a very long time. When I think about it, he’s also one of my favorite songwriters and favorite singers. He’s the Ultimate Triple Threat”. Exactly. I can think of some one better in each of those categories, but can think of few others that can do all three at a combined level of greatness such of this. On this album, check out the qualities in “Broken Doll” or the sheer fun and versatility in “Guitar Heroes” where he sings about his influences before cutting into a solo in each of their styles. Yes, he has Still got it.
© David Hintz
Mellow Mood "2 the World"
La Tempesta Int’l; 2015
This is a multi-ethnic reggae band from Italy. They have a strong foundation here and the production sharpens up their creative vocal work and interesting backing sounds. Sure the bass lines throb away and the snare cracks like lightning, but it is nice to see a few more subtle tricks in their arsenal. And as the album wears on, there is some noticeably attractive songwriting at work. All in all, this is a fine modern reggae album that you can sit back and absorb or get up and dance to.
© David Hintz
Andrew Maxwell Morris "Well Tread Roads"
Own label; 2015
Morris has an easy going style and the ability to write and deliver heart-felt songs. It is somewhere between folk and classic singer songwriter style with voice and acoustic guitar in front of some subtle and carefully arranged backing. It is quite easy to dig into this music as Morris has such a lovely way with his songs. They should stay with you right after you hear them. This is a fine album.
© David Hintz
Annabelle Chvostek "Be the Media"
Own label; 2015
This is a strong and intriguing album. First item of notice is the clarity, power, and sincerity of the vocal work of Annabelle Chvostek on her eight songs. She has a great combination of grace and power and also does well with Neil Young’s ‘Like a Hurricane’ which features a fine arrangement of rock instruments in backing, but with Annabelle’s mandolin up front. The arrangements are quite astounding as there are elements of the Wipers and British moody post punk in here, although there is an Americana folk-rock also at work. This Canadian album is one of my favorites of the moment.
© David Hintz
ShAnnie "Blame it on the Moon"
Own label; 2014
The duo of Annie Acton on vocals and Shan Kowert on acoustic guitar and vocals are the key to the power of this music. Not that the rhythm section and occasional keyboard or violin does not add a lot to the music, but this is quality folk music that although often touches light Americana, also goes ethereal in “Pray Like a Butterfly”. It all works quite well, although I wish they had not brought back bad radio memories with a cover of the Dream Academy’s ‘Life in a Northern Town’. That song gives me the shivers that are not as welcome as the shivers I get when they nail a guitar passage or a fine folk hook.
© David Hintz
Jack Kerowax "Jack Kerowax"
Own label; 2014
This is a four-piece from Texas and not an individual, just in case you don’t get the pun. They feature a strong rock sound, yet there is a lot of heart and plenty of Americana moves that proudly show their roots. All of these songs are good with a few better than that. I am sure I would enjoy the live show as much or more than this album, too.
© David Hintz
Bonefish "Time to Market"
Own label; 2014
This record is a well-produced blues-based rocker. There are hearty songs throughout that could well appeal to a large audience. Initially, this all seemed a bit too slick and mainstream for me, but the fourth cut ‘We All Gonna go that Road’ was a strong song and thereafter (during the four bonus cuts making 8 songs in all) there were some fine horn arrangements and more subtleties integrated into their big sound. These Swedes have loads of talent and some fine ideas. If everything connects just so, they could do quite well with their music.
© David Hintz
Aaron Newman "Aaron Newman & the OK Caravan"
Own label; 2014
I enjoy the hearty production where the twang of the guitars, the deep sounds of the bass, and the crackle of the snare simply pops out of the speakers. Add some violin and warm and resonant vocals and you have a great group approach on Americana based folk rock. The songs are easily digestible with enough fine playing to stand out in this crowded field. This is there debut album, so the future looks mighty bright for this Oklahoma City bunch.
© David Hintz
Doug Ingoldsby "I’ve Got a Picture"
Own label; 2014
With songs like ‘Brothers’, ‘I Know You’, and ‘Us and Them’ among the nine songs here, you will forgive me if I thought I was in for some covers of the Doctors of Madness, ISB, and Pink Floyd. But no, these are all originals, which is especially surprising with the last of those three titles. However that was one of the better songs as there was just enough grit in the acoustic guitar to match the vocals. As for the rest of the album… it’s nice. And that is nice, but it is a little too much on the smooth light rock style for me.
© David Hintz
Reed Turner "Ghosts in the Attic"
Own label; 2013
There are a number of subtle shifts on this album. Fortunately due to a strong personal center, Reed Turner does not get lost in this shuffle. Whether it is blues, folk, lightly frothy, deep and personal; no matter the swerve and change of pace, Reed Turner communicates his songs effectively. There are a number of musicians assisting and it all gels well enough throughout. Decent enough album, this for folkies as well as indie rockers whom like the inherent blues.
© David Hintz
The Snakes "The Last Days of Rock’n’Roll"
Bucketfull of Brains; 2013
Despite the desperation of the title, this is a reasonably easygoing rocker. The Snakes seem a fine bar band with a good command of the country blues. The songs do not exactly resonate with any real originality, but have plenty of quality. They sound like a great band to see in the pub, although they don’t do pub rock, but Americana styled bar band styled rock and roll with plenty of country moves in the heart of the songs.
© David Hintz
Terry Davidson & the Gears "Sonic Soul Sessions"
Bangshift; 2013
Veteran blues rock here with mostly original material, although they all sound like comfortable songs you have heard before. There are some fine horn arrangements that sharpen up the proceedings and keep things a bit fresher than the average blues album. I also think the vocal work shows a maturity and experience that is helpful in the blues, even when it sounds relaxed. I enjoyed this a bit more than I expected, but like most blues albums in this century, I would still rather see it in the clubs.
© David Hintz
The Led Farmers "Lucy"
Own label; 2015
In my world, there is always more room for bands that can ‘rock up’ the folk in the manner of Boiled in Lead[48] and the Pogues.[22] Not everyone does it to my satisfaction, but this Irish band based in Switzerland really nails it on this album. They have 5 originals along with 9 Irish and English traditionals, which have been covered by both bands I mentioned along with Steeleye Span, Pentangle, and many more. What I really like about these songs is the varied arrangements where they don’t lock into one extreme style. Some push the pace, while others are folkier. There is even an a capella song as well. Nicely done, lads.
© David Hintz
Gren Bartley "Magnificent Creatures"
Fellside, 2015
This is a fine folk album that sounds fresh with the solid arrangements including cello and violin. Yet it is the combination of Bartley’s fine vocal work, rich acoustic guitar picking and songwriting that will stick in your memory. There are stark voice and guitar songs and other rich thickly arranged songs that vary from folk rock to light indie rock/singer songwriter. The key is the quality that is infused into just about every song here. It is both a comfortable and rich album to listen to.
© David Hintz
HiKS "Operation Malicorne"
Own label; 2014
Here is a record I am highly curious about. This features a band called HiKS who are reinterpreting Malicorne songs. What is more, they have former Malicorne musicians guesting on several tracks including Gabriel and Marie Yacoub. Don’t look for the folk side of Malicorne as this is heavier modern rock music with electronica and thick guitars. Yet this treatment works for Malicorne songs, as theirs were some of the darkest folk songs out there back in the day. I think this would also work quite well for industrial rock fans who like melody and the brand of dark elecronic folk that is out there these days, even if they have no idea who Malicorne is. But because the Malicorne songs are so fascinating and fit this format well, this is extra interesting for me.
© David Hintz
Frank Yamma "Uncle"
Wantok Musik, 2014
Frank Yamma "Countryman"
Wantok Musik, 2010
From the vast deserts of central Australia comes this excellent Pitjantjatara singer/songwriter guitarist. If you remember the movie ‘Walkabout’ perhaps you can imagine the desolation of that region. But if while on walkabout you wandered into a musician this good, the rest of the trip to the ‘more civilized’ coast would be a breeze. Not surprisingly, I hear traces of the fine Mali musicians as the geography in somewhat similar. Yet the recent record has a rock approach with lots of worldly touches and even some regional links to Australian Trevor McNamara’s rare album ‘Yeah Captain’. The older album, ‘Countryman’, is more stripped down acoustic guitar and vocals with some string arrangements present in a few songs. Both records offer a ton of personality and quality and are worth exploring if you are a music lover of almost any ilk and appreciate creative moves that resonate easily.
© David Hintz
