Shenandoah -- Journeys

"This album is pure country bliss from start to finish. Shenandoah have righfully earned their status as a country music institution. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Journeys."

What can you say about a band that has had 12 number one hits, six in the top ten, 25 charted songs, and a Grammy? All their praises have been sung by much more well-known reviewers than me. Any country music fan will immediately recognize them. So please indulge me while I deliver a personal anecdote that proves Shenandoah's universal appeal, their ability to touch people well outside the boundaries of country music.

My wife, who is very particular in her musical tastes, was sitting at her craft bench when I put Shenandoah's newest release, Journeys, into the CD player. Bear in mind that she is used to my reviewing a lot of independent artists and wasn't aware I was actually reviewing a well-known group. Nor is she a big country music fan, and most of the time turns her nose up to the indie releases. Like I said, she's particular. She was quiet through the first cut, "Same Boat Now," but about a third of the way into "Mr. One Man Band," she said, "...I'd buy that record and I don't usually listen to unknown artists; they're really good." Indeed! They're great!

"Mr. One Man Band" has to be one of the hit single releases of this album. Mike McGuire is in top form on this one, with his decade-of-time shifts in each iteration of the chorus, grabbing the heartstrings of everyone who remembers the fifties to the seventies, and the music of Elvis, The Beatles, and The Eagles."Running Cause I Can't Fly" is the party dance hit track and, no surprise, another McGuire composition. And the ballad hit (every album needs a ballad hit, right?) is "When You Were Mine". Check out this chorus:

You're looking well, I can tell
That you're different now
The change has done you good
But seeing you makes me think of the way we loved
Once upon a time
And I miss who you were when you were mine

If we had a "best humorous" category, "Right" would have to be at the top of the list. You simply have to go to the website and check out the clip for this song--it'll have you rolling on the floor, laughing. And while you're there, be sure to download "Mr. One Man Band"--it's a freebie. Surely, this tune is the band's pick single. I don't disagree.

This album is pure country gold from start to finish. Shenandoah have righfully earned their status as a country music institution. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Journeys. I promise you won't regret it.

Web site: http://www.shenandoaband.com

This review also appears in the latest issue of Music News Nashville.

The Gypsy Sons

"A hot-chicks-on-the-make, drinks-lined-up-on-the-bar, hell-raisin' rocker..."

Forgive me if I borrow from this band's own description, but this CD is, without a doubt, "good stuff from the all-american bad boys of southern rock and country soul". I couldn't say it any better than that, unless I tell you that it feels like Led Zeppelin meets Merle Haggard. Hell, the way they start out the album with "Long Gone"--sort of like Jimi Hendrix's "Star Spangled Banner," only in this case borrowing from "Amazing Grace"--you wonder if these guys are reincarnated 60's rockers; they could very well be Lynrd Skynrd's band coming back for another round, for that matter. I'd buy this record in a heartbeat, if I could. But this self-produced (apparently) work doesn't seem to be available anywhere. They need to remedy that!

If you're ready to party, The Gypsy Sons are right there with you. This is hard-driving southern rock that is perfect for a beer-drinking-let's-get-drunk-and-rowdy Saturday night. Or Friday. Or any other night of the week. "Motorway" says it all: "...it's hard to keep a bad man down." This is a hot-chicks-on-the-make, drinks-lined-up-on-the-bar, hell-raisin' rocker--what this band is all about. But they have a sensitive side, too, albeit on only one track. "Mississippi" is an introspective, longing-for-home, slow dance tune that is about as close as these boys are ever going to get to a ballad. I can almost hear them saying: "Ballads? Ya gotta be kiddin'! Rock on!"

I couldn't agree more!

This review also appeared on Music News Nashville.

Steve Angel Project on Indie-Music.com

"A bit of wit and a whisper of wisdom blended with plenty of honest, free-spirited playfulness make Find My Way an uplifting, energizing listen."

Read my review of Find My Way, Steve Angel's sophomore album, on Indie-Music.com.

More of my reviews can be found here.

Garth Michael McDermott on Indie-Music.com

"McDermott leads us on an interesting self-discovery tour using his own emotional milestones as guideposts."

Read my review of Highways & Ghosts, Garth Michael McDermott's sophomore album, on Indie-Music.com.

More of my Indie-Music.com reviews are here.