Hal Horowitz

Review: Erik Vincent Huey Takes an Unflinching Look at West Virginia’s Forgotten People in ‘Appalachian Gothic’

February 3, 2023 No Comments

Erik Vincent HueyAppalachian Gothic(The Orchard/Appalachian AF)4 1/2 out of 5 stars “Just can’t escape the Appalachian Blues,” Erik Vincent Huey growls on the opening track to his first solo album. And he should know. The one-time member of outlaw country rockers, The Surreal McCoys, grinds out 13 tunes whose lyrics reflect the obstacles and dead-end More

Jarrod Dickenson JDPromo4_by_Tatsuro_Nishimura

Review: Singer/Songwriter Jarrod Dickenson Talks Big on ‘Big Talk’

January 31, 2023 No Comments

Jarrod DickensonBig Talk(Hooked Records)3 out of 5 stars The title of Nashville by way of New York City, and initially Texas, singer/songwriter Jarrod Dickenson’s third album encapsulates its lyrical slant. Between long-haul COVID, being dropped by his major label, and trying to reconcile the current divisive political situation, he has a lot to say. The More

Review: Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams Channel Levon Helms’ Spirit

January 30, 2023 No Comments

Larry Campbell & Teresa WilliamsLive at Levon’s!(Royal Potato Family)4 out of 5 stars The exclamation point is appropriate. Levon Helm’s studio in Woodstock, New York is the perfect venue for the married duo of veteran multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, and about a hundred others) and Teresa Williams to record a live album. More

Review: NRBQ’s Delightful ‘Tiddly Winks’ Sounds as Fresh Today As In 1980

January 27, 2023 No Comments

NRBQTiddly Winks(Omnivore)4 out of 5 stars The often termed “definitive” lineup of NRBQ- Terry Adams, Joey Spampinato, Al Anderson, and Tom Ardolino—strikes again. This configuration began a run of classic studio recordings with All Hopped Up in 1977, continued with At Yankee Stadium in ’78 and the next year’s Kick Me Hard, then kept the More

Review: Newcomer JD Clayton Proves He’s in it for the Long Haul on ‘Long Way From Home’

January 26, 2023 No Comments

JD ClaytonLong Way from Home(self-released)4 out of 5 stars Push play on the opening track of JD Clayton’s debut full length and the initial sound heard are birds chirping, then a softly strummed acoustic guitar. “Hello Good Mornin’” is an appropriate introduction to the Arkansas-based singer/songwriter’s first album. That simple yet honest expression continues through More

Review: Dan Auerbach’s Arcs Return After 8 Years With More Soulful Sounds

January 25, 2023 No Comments

The ArcsElectrophonic Chronic(Easy Eye Sound)4 out of 5 stars Dan Auerbach may want to be part of a group approach for his Arcs side project, but it’s hard not to see that this collective is his baby. Since he co-writes the songs and sings them, he is almost as much a focal point here as More

Review: Atlanta Soul/Bluesman Eddie 9V Connects With His Inner ‘Capricorn’

January 24, 2023 No Comments

Eddie 9VCapricorn(Ruf)3 1/2 out of 5 stars Some musicians need to travel thousands of miles to locate the area of their biggest influence. Atlanta’s Eddie 9V was lucky… he only had to drive a few hours to land in his. Macon, Georgia’s Capricorn Studios provided much of the raw musical material a young Brooks Mason, More

Celebrity Sightings In New York City - September 24, 2022

Review: MÅNESKIN Pushes All The Right Buttons on the Rousing ‘RUSH!’

January 23, 2023 No Comments

MÅNESKINRUSH!(Arista/Sony)4 out of 5 stars Considering the near-universal appeal of rock and roll, specifically from English-speaking countries like the US, Australia, and the UK, it’s frustrating that more acts from other countries don’t have a larger presence in the genre. Exceptions exist, but generally, there haven’t been many rock groups to break through to the More

Review: Set Your Sights on Joe Henry’s Meditative ‘All the Eye Can See’

January 19, 2023 No Comments

Joe HenryAll the Eye Can See(earMUSIC)3 out of 5 stars In many respects, listening to a Joe Henry album is like watching an art-house film; usually a rewarding experience but absorbed and experienced at its own deliberate pace. That has been singer/songwriter/producer Henry’s direction for much of his 30-year career, although the approach has become More

Review: Canadian Americana Duo Whitehorse Shift to Traditional Country on ‘I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying’

January 12, 2023 No Comments

WhitehorseI’m Not Crying, You’re Crying(Six Shooter Records)3 1/2 out of 5 stars Look no further than the album’s witty title or songs named “If the Loneliness Don’t Kill Me,” “Scared of Each Other,” and especially the evocative “I Might Get Over This (But I Won’t Stop Loving You”) to understand where married Canadian duo Whitehorse More

Review: New Orleans’ Blues/Soul Veteran Ernie Vincent Gets His Funk Groove On

January 11, 2023 No Comments

Ernie VincentOriginal Dap King(Cornelius Chapel)3 out of 5 stars “I’ve always been the kind of guy who likes to work in the background supporting others rather than drawing attention to myself,” says singer/guitarist Ernie Vincent in the promotional notes to this, his third album and first since 2012. The Louisiana-born and bred musician is looking More

Review: Veteran Rocker Iggy Pop Unleashes Raw Power on ‘Every Loser’

January 4, 2023 No Comments

Iggy PopEvery Loser(Atlantic/Gold Tooth)4 out of 5 stars When you push play and immediately hear an instantly recognizable voice sing Got a dick and two balls, that’s more than you all / My mind will be sick if I suffer the pricks and I’m in a frenzy You f-cking prick I’m in a frenzy / More

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