Blogs
Priorities
A hurricane is coming this way and the Saints going 8-0 is the headline in today’s Times-Picayune. As it should be. One of the pleasant discoveries yesterday – besides the […]
A Little Urgency
One stat that came out of the morning press conference at the National World War II Museum explains the urgency to open the new wing and subsequent expansions ASAP. Since […]
Hall Decking 101
The lineup for this year’s free Christmas concerts in the St. Louis Cathedral was announced this morning. The show start at 6 p.m. and, because of the venue, feature spirituals […]
Michelle Shocked, Soul of My Soul (Night Sound)
An offhanded, unassuming moment would be a lovely thing on a Michelle Shocked album. From the whole package down to the songwriting and the performances, everything is purpose-driven. If Shocked […]
Corey Harris, blu.black (Telarc)
Reduce the songs on Corey Harris’ new blu.black to their topics and sentiments and it seems almost programmatic in its African-American positivity. The songs celebrate blackness, freedom and empowerment, and […]
The Rhythm Jesters, Big Easy Swing (Independent)
Guitarist Larry Scala leads the misnamed Rhythm Jesters, a trad jazz band that isn’t clowning around. They aren’t mocking or satirizing jazz in a jesterly fashion; instead, they approach the […]
Ernie Vincent, Bayou Road Blues (Montegut Road)
It’s great to see Ernie Vincent busy these days, and when his young band finds its groove, it could be a powerhouse. On Bayou Road Blues, the only member of […]
Jason Marsalis, Music Update (ELM)
Not surprisingly, much of what’s exciting about Music Update has to do with rhythm. The members of Jason Marsalis’ quartet make rhythmic decisions that enliven ideas throughout, and they often […]
Jordan Hirsch of Sweet Home New Orleans
Sweet Home New Orleans metamorphosed from the New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund, a non-profit relief organization that sprang to life within 72 hours of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation. It has […]
Jeff & Vida, Selma Chalk (Rosebank)
Time out of town has helped Jeff and Vida find a stronger musical voice. Since they’ve moved to Nashville, the bluegrass that brought the couple together has become more pronounced […]
