Worth a Listen: Willy Catt

Worth a Listen focuses exclusively on independent artists and songwriters whose music has emotional impact without regard to recording or production quality.

Take a dash of emo, a pinch of funk, and blend in a generous cup of bluesy rock and you have a savory dish that will satisfy the most discriminating musical palette. Willy Cat's Time's Told On You is a tasty buffet of sweet laid back pop ballads topped with rich harmonies and garnished with uptempo Chicago-style horns. Oh, and did I mention it comes with Western Swing on the side? (Check out track 5 "10 Hours To Austin.") Catt makes this unique blend of flavors work with tasty jazz-influenced acoustic guitar playing and evocative singing. Backed by top-flight players from the Bruce Hornsby and Mary Chapin Carpenter bands and produced by Hornsby's guitarist, Doug Derryberry, Time's Told On You is ear candy from the first chord to the last guitar riff.

Available at Amazon.com, CDBaby.com, The Orchard.com and on Willy's website.

Worth a Listen - Rick Cusick

Worth a Listen focuses exclusively on independent artists and songwriters whose music has emotional impact regardless of recording or production quality.

Soulful singing, funky grooves, intelligent lyrics and improvisation. Think Marvin Gaye meets Peter Gabriel and they jam with Dave Matthews and Ritchie Havens.

Rick Cusick's East is infectious. Each track builds upon the preceding one. By the time you have listened to them all, you find yourself enjoying the symptoms of an acute case of audio elation: a persistent smile, a lightness-of-foot, a positive outlook. Don't fight it - put the CD in and set it for "repeat all." Let the machine do what you're going to do anyway.

In "Falling Into You," Cusick says, "So this is my pleasure to sing for you...." To that, I have to say, "No, Rick, the pleasure is all ours."

Preview it at www.rickcusick.com. Then buy it.

Check out his blog, too: www.ricksvoice.com.

Worth a Listen - James Hurley

Worth a Listen focuses exclusively on independent artists and songwriters whose music has emotional impact regardless of recording or production quality.

James Hurley's new CD release, The Sun and the Moon, has just become my top pick for a feel-good-take-my-troubles-away album. This is acoustic-based Adult Contemporary music that has definite Blues and Jazz flavors with a little Folk and Rock thrown in for good measure.

"I wrote the songs on this CD during a very difficult, challenging time," Hurley says. "Though they touch on experiences like loss, isolation and insecurity, they all share a positive outlook..."

Track pick: "One Fine Day" - the perfect song about being glad to be alive.

Check him out http://www.jameshurleymusic.com

Read my reviews on Indie-Music.com