Roots, blues and Americana releases take center stage

Authentic songcraft fused with real world emotion is at the center of epic roots-minded releases from the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Sonny Landreth, Joan Osborne, and Michael and the Lonesome Playboys. All these wonderful releases are out now.

Artist: Tedeschi Trucks Band
Album: Everybody's Talkin' (Sony Masterworks)
You might be interested in buying this if you like: The Allman Brothers Band, Sonny Landreth, Joan Osborne
Tell me more: For blues lovers who somehow missed hearing the Grammy Award-winning debut Revelator from the Tedeschi Trucks Band in 2011, no worries. The powerful sophomore effort Everybody's Talkin' is an equally-impressive chance to discover the 11-member ensemble. Husband-wife team Derek Trucks (slide guitar) and Susan Tedeschi (lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar) and their troupe have been tearing up concert halls and festivals with an appealing approach that uses a mix of outstanding songs (original and artful remakes), virtuoso musicianship and an obvious chemistry among the members as they unleash their menu of blues, gospel, soul and R&B on the collection.

Listen to more and get Everybody's Talkin' Here

Artist: Sonny Landreth
Album: Elemental Journey (Landfall Records)
You might be interested in buying this if you like: Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, Bruce Cockburn's Speechless
Tell Me more: While it's possible to walk into a Guitar Center retail location on any day of the week and hear speedy finger players run laps on their fretboard, what is equally impossible is to find guitarists whose artistry and command of their instrument can inspire. But inspiration can be found in spades on the latest disc from Louisiana slide virtuoso Sonny Landreth. While Elemental Journey is Landreth's 11th album, it is his first all-instrumental collection. And what a great album Elemental Journey is. From the astounding melodic grace of "Heavy Heart Rising" to the sonic dance of the aptly-titled "Wonderide" and tender "Brave New Girl." Adding icing on the sonic cake are guest turns from fellow guitar wizards Joe Satriani on the breathtaking "Gala Tribe" and Eric Johnson on the neo-jazz blues gem "Passionola."

Listen to more and get Elemental Journey here

Artist: Joan Osborne
Title: Bring It On Home (Saguaro Road Records)
You might be interested in this if you like: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Bonnie Raitt, Etta James
Tell Me More: Music lovers know Joan Osborne for radio hits such as “One of Us,” “Right Hand Man” and “St. Teresa.” But increasingly fans recognize the Kentucky native for her soulful and powerful approach to singing the blues, especially since the release of her latest disc Bring It On Home (Saguaro Road Records). Released in late March, Bring It On Home marks Osborne’s first collection of hand-selected vintage blues and soul songs. Osborne has hit a home run on the 12-track set, offering up powerful versions of material from Willie Dixon (“Bring It On Home,” “I Want to Be Loved”), Ike Turner (“Game of Love”), John Mayall (“Broken Wings”), Otis Redding (“Champagne and Wine”) and others that are a perfect fit with her fervent vocals. Information: www.JoanOsborne.com.

listen to samples and get Bring It On Home here

Artist: Michael and the Lonesome Playboys
Album: Last of the Honky Tonks (Blackwater Records)
You might be interested in buying this if you like: Gram Parsons, the Jayhawks, David Serby
Tell me more: There are millions of modern-day country music fans who love the celebrated likes of Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesney. But there is a small, but growing contingent of Americana fans who have been drawn to the authentic sounds of Michael and the Lonesome Playboys. On the group’s commercial debut, the aptly-titled “Last of the Honky Tonks,” singer-songwriter Michael Ubaldini and company blend the sound and spirit of Merle Haggard, Hank Williams and the Flying Burrito Brothers across the 14-song disc. From the confessional “Cross Country Ride” and beautiful “Hearts & Flowers” to the rollicking “Shambles” and Delta blues-minded “When a Freight Train Rolls Right Over You,” Ubaldini’s emotive vocals are used in the service of superb material that resonates whether the listener is a bona fide cowboy or simply a city slicker who appreciates great songs.

listen to samples and get Last Of The Honky Tonks here

Music Worth Buying - Music DVDs for Christmas

Guest Writer: Robert Kinsler  

Although the DVD market has been flooded by artfully-packaged boxed sets and deluxe collectors’ editions in 2009, music fans can still get a number of affordable, highly-recommended releases this holiday season.

Although I’m always behind in my critic-related duties listening to new music, the chance to catch full-length concerts on my home theater system really offers me a break, especially since many of the DVDs feature some of the world’s greatest artists at their best.

Here are some notable music DVD releases now available and definitely worth buying.






ERIC JOHNSON – ANAHEIM features the incredible Austin, Texas-based instrumental guitarist in action at a show staged at The Grove of Anaheim on May 3, 2006. In addition to his full-length concert set, which includes performances of favorites such as his Grammy Award-winning “Cliffs of Dover,” there are several bonus acoustic performances highlighted by a take on the Jimi Hendrix classic “Wind Cries Mary.” 
Buy Eric Johnson Anaheim here





EARTH, WIND & FIRE – LIVE IN JAPAN showcases the legendary group during their so-called “Heritage” tour in 1990. This is an especially prized concert since the performance was filmed during Maurice White’s final tour with the seminal funk group. Viewers of the DVD get to see Maurice White, along with his brother/bassist Verdine White and singer Philip Bailey perform their best-known hits, including “September,” “Shining Star,” “After the Love is Gone” and “Reasons.” Audiophiles have their choice of Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, Dolby Digital 2.0 and DTS Surround Sound to choose from on the DVD; the 2-disc collection also features a 13-track CD of the concert. 
Buy Earth Wind And Fire Live in Japan here





DARYL HALL AND JOHN OATES: LIVE AT THE TROUBADOUR is the perfect keepsake for anyone who didn’t get to catch the two already-legendary shows by the most successful pop duo in history staged at the intimate Troubadour in Los Angeles in May 2008. Performing at the Troubadour for the first time since the early 1970s, the Philadelphia soul masters have released one of their strongest concert sets to date. The performances look and sound wonderful, with hits such as “Maneater,” “Rich Girl,” “Kiss On My List” and “Sara Smile” leaving this writer wondering why these talented singer-songwriter-musicians weren’t inducted in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame years ago. As if the talents of Hall and Oates aren’t enough, the group’s long-time backing band is firing on all cylinders too, with guitarist T-Bone Wolk tearing up his acoustic guitar’s fret board on “Family Man” and Charles DeChant’s sax playing a joy throughout. Shout! Factory has released the concert on Blu-Ray, DVD and as a deluxe 1-DVD, 2-CD combo. 
Buy Daryl Hall and John Oats Live at the Troubadour here





COME TOGETHER: A NIGHT FOR JOHN LENNON’S WORDS & MUSIC documents that understandably tragic period after September 11, 2001, when America temporarily came together to deal with its grief related to terrorist attacks that hit New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. On October 2, 2001, Academy Award-winner Kevin Spacey hosted a special television event broadcast live on the WB Television Network and Turner Network Television from Radio City Music Hall that featured a mix of musical performances and special readings by stars such as Kevin Bacon and Dustin Hoffman. It is the once-in-a-lifetime musical selections of most interest here, with a number of eclectic performances of John Lennon-penned songs delivered across the 90-minute disc. Dave Matthews’ “In My Life,” Lou Reed’s “Jealous Guy,” and Kevin Spacey’s “Mind Games” (no kidding, the actor can sing!) are among my favorites. Depending on your system, you can utilize either Dolby Digital 2.0 or Dolby Digital 5.1 when watching the concert DVD. 
Buy Come Together here





CHEAP TRICK BUDOKAN! 30^th ANNIVERSARY EDITION is truly a blast from the past, with the 30^th anniversary of Cheap Trick’s landmark two-night stand at Tokyo’s best-known sports stadium in 1978 celebrated on this winning 3 CD/1 DVD set. With a mix of newly-mixed and remastered audio and unreleased footage, this release sheds new light on what made the Rockford, Illinois quartet such an exciting addition on the world stage in the late 1970s and why the Japanese were so instrumental in the band’s rise. The DVD not only features a one-hour, 15-song program that was broadcast only once on Japanese television 30 years ago (a video recording of the second concert), but the video itself is enhanced by a new stereo mix and 5.1 Surround Sound that will thrill fans of the band. To hear Cheap Trick charge through “Ain’t That a Shame” and “Clock Strikes Ten” is to hear – and feel – the timeless power of rock ‘n’ roll. 
Buy Cheap Trick Budokan 30th Anniversary here