The Soulful Mavis Staples and Loveblock 2013 Pinot Noir

This is the second consecutive vintage of Loveblock Pinot Noir 2013 ($37, 14%) that I've received as a sample and this New Zealand wine captivates me. The grapes are grown in Loveblock's high altitude "Someone’s Darling" Vineyard (Central Otago), which owners Erica and Kim Crawford have had accredited with  Sustainable Winegrowing (SWNZ). The wine is powerful, yet classy; exhibits fresh fruit, yet dusty herbs; and finishes with bright acids, yet smooth tannins.  A very complex wine that's a gem to drink. Another gem is R&B gospel singer Mavis Staples.  With each sip of the Loveblock, Staples's soulful, smooth, yet dusty vocals seemed to emanate from the wine, whether the gospel sound of One True Vine or the soulful R&B of Livin' On A High Note. And when the band breaks out the electric guitar and horns while she's singing gospel, that captivates me as well. And by chance Staples is traveling through New Zealand and Australia this spring. Cheers.

Album Review: Rhiannon Giddens - Tomorrow Is My Turn

A Facebook post by Breezy Peyton (The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band) reminded me that Rhiannon Giddens just released her debut solo album, Tomorrow Is My Turn. Produced by T Bone Burnett, the album features former Carolina Chocolate Drops partner Hubby J. Jenkins (banjo, guitar or mandolin), Malcolm Parson (cello), Rowan Corbett (bones & banjo), Jamie Dick (drums), and Jason Sypher (bass).  That's quite a supporting cast and Ms. Giddens augments their sound with  Just take a listen to "She's Got You".  This reminds me of the "wow" factor when sipping an extraordinary wine.  Strong, bluesy, sexy vocals - would make Patsy Cline proud.  Another song that speaks to me is the Celtic influences in "O Love is Teasin'". Must be Rowan Corbett's influences. The talent of the backing band is in full display on the opening track "Last Kind Words". Pretty tight. And stay to the end with "Angel City" to hear how they can also slow it down with a fine, soft ballad.   Pair with western Carolina's Calaboose Cellars. Cheers.

Album Review: The Howlin' Brothers - Trouble

It seems like The Howlin' Brothers keep popping up on our radar; first with their debut CD Howl, then their Sun Sessions and now a new CD, Trouble. This album is due to be released April 29th, but I received an early link and have been enjoying their old style Americana. And point blank, I love this release. Why? Well I love blues and there's plenty of that in Night and Day. I love zydeco, and there's a little of that in Monroe and Louisiana. Gospel - you bet: Yes I Am!; Old time country roots - World Spinning Round. They round the bases, nailing each genre and delivering a powerful, powerful release. This is how music should be performed - at least in my world. Pair with home town Ithaca Beer Company. Cheers.

Album Review: Cody Jasper's Selfy Rocks

My friends at McGuckin Entertainment PR have a habit of sending me music that is completely suited to my musical tastes - which range from rock, blues, bluegrass, gospel,  and alt-country. Cody Jasper's soon to be released self titled album is a rock'n amalgam of these and starts with perhaps my favorite song of the year - Black Cadillac. The song starts as a gospel chant reminiscent of the chain gang music in O Brother, Where Art Thou? and then slowly adds in some bluesy guitar and keyboards punctuated by Jaspar's deep soulful vocals. His bio states that he loves Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Otis Redding, and Sam Cooke and this songs seems to roll all into one.

The next two tracks, Cherry Pie and Evil Woman segue completely to classic rock n roll with smokn' slide guitar in the former and am Aerosmith infused rhythm in the later. Jasper's bio also stresses his fondness for Waylon and Shooter Jennings and their influences seem to show with the ballads Holy Water and Mona Lisa. Rosemary might be my second favorite track - wish I was more technical - would like to know the time of the beat. But love the pattern.

This is the type of album I wish more artist's were making - seems like we are losing rock to a more psychedelic sound and Jasper returns it to its more classic roots of blues, soul, and original country. The album's official release is February 18th so start planning to attend one of the CD release shows if in Texas or pre-order online. Pair with Taos Mesa Brewing in El Prado New Mexico where Jaspar will be performing March 6th. Cheers

Elizabeth Cook Releases "Gospel Plow" EP

ELIZABETH COOK RELEASES “GOSPEL PLOW” EP ON JUNE 12TH AND APPEARS ON THE LATE SHOW ON JUNE 13TH NASHVILLE, TN – In 2011, Elizabeth Cook was asked to participate in Strawberry Music Festival’s Sunday morning gospel show. She reluctantly agreed, but by the time she was halfway through her set, she was surprised by how much she was moved by this music. Perhaps she shouldn’t have been; it reconnected her with music that was central to her Florida upbringing. She was moved enough to record a seven song EP of some of her favorite Southern Gospel songs (well, six Gospel songs and a cover of Velvet Underground’s “Jesus”). The EP, titled Gospel Plow, will be released on June 12th, the day before she appears on The Late Show with David Letterman. Cook and her band, husband Tim Carroll on guitar and Bones Hillman (Midnight Oil) on bass, will be hitting the road this summer, adding a touch of gospel to the proceedings. Full list of dates listed below. In addition to all of her duties of writing, recording and touring Cook also hosts “Apron Strings” on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country, channel 60 that airs Monday – Friday 10 am – 2pm eastern. June 7 - Station Inn – Nashville, TN  June 8 - Cosmic Charlie’s – Lexington, KY June 9 - Kirk Ave Music Hall - Roanoke, VA June 10 - Night Cat - Easton, MD June 12 – City Winery  (w/ Matthew Sweet)  – NYC June 14 - Mockingbirds - Staunton, VA June 16 – Todd Snider’s What the Folk Festival - Memphis, TN July 6 - The Shed - Maryville, TN July 7 - Rumba Cafe - Columbus OH July 8 - Beachland Tavern - Cleveland, OH July 9 - Sportsmen's Tavern - Buffalo, NY July 11 - Higher Ground - Burlington VT July 13 - One Longfellow Square - Portland, ME July 15 - Green River Festival - Greenfield, MA July 16 – Club Passim – Cambridge, MA Jul 18  - Infinity Hall - Norfolk, CT July 19 - Abbey Bar at ABC - Harrisburg, PA July 20 - Rams Head On Stage - Annapolis MD Aug 22 - Space - Evanston, IL Aug 23 - Historic Rose Bowl Tavern - Urbana, IL Aug 24 - Shank Hall - Milwaukee, WI Aug 25+26 - Minnesota State Fair - St Paul, MN

Spirit Family Reunion Comes to Vienna

Last night the Spirit Family Reunion brought their old time music and gospel show to Jammin Java in support of their new CD, "No Separation".  It always amazes me when city folk, in this case Brooklyn, can accurately reflect the country porch setting. SFR succeeds brilliantly in this endeavor playing old time instruments, a cappella gospel, or foot stomping bluegrass. This is a fun band to watch. And for those on the East Coast, see if you can catch a show during this tour. We hope to see the band again soon at Floydfest.

Update: Here's the mp3 Spirit Family Reunion's "I Am Following The Sound".