Laura Marling: I Speak Because I Can

This is Laura Marling's second disc, the follow up to 2007's Alas, I Cannot Swim. From Hampshire, England, Marling is a former member of the folk ensemble,  Noah and the Whale.

On I Speak Because I Can, Marling leads us on a lush journey through the acoustic folk landscape, blending wistful melodies with outright edginess.

For More,  Click Here

Jakob Dylan: Women and Country

You have to hand it to Jakob Dylan...he is not leaning on his father's laurels.  He is forging a name for himself as a consummate singer/songwriter.  On Women and Country Dylan proves, once again, that less can definitely be more.

This is Jacob's second solo disc and is more orchestrated than his last,  2007's Seeing Things.  With the help of T. Bone Burnett's spare arrangements....

For More,  Click Here

Natalie Merchant: Leave Your Sleep

Natalie Merchant has come such a long way from her work with 10,000 Maniacs.  This is the first solo disc in 7 years for Merchant since 2003's  The House Carpenter's Daughter which was largely a exploration of celtic folk music.

With a listen to the first track of  Leave Your Sleep, you get the feeling that Natalie Merchant is going down that traditional road again.  But hold on a minute,  Merchant is not totally into that this time. What follows is a musical smorgasbord of as many genres that you can name.

Fore More, Click Here

Peter Gabriel: Scratch My Back

I usually don't like to review cover albums, but this one asks.. make that demands, to be taken seriously.  Peter Gabriel on Scratch My Back has produced an album that salutes the intricacies of songwriting and each individual songwriter that he covers. As he explains on his website, this is the first of two albums.  The second will be a compilation of the artists that he covers here, doing his songs. It will be called I'll Scratch Yours. Clever.

Luckily Gabriel decided not to perform the songs as they were originally intended...truly making each his own.  He accomplishes this by holding up each on the gentle touch of subtly orchestrated strings to allow the true songwriting craft to show through.

Some of the artists and songs covered here, you will undoubtedly recognize...David Bowie (Heroes), Paul Simon (Boy in the Bubble), Randy Newman, (I Think it's going to Rain Today),  Neil Young (Philadelphia)...each work all nestled in a new sound and unique feel.  But it's some of the cuts that you're maybe not that familiar with that really shine...Talking Heads (Listening Wind),  Magnetic Fields (The Book of Love),  Lou Reed (The Power of Your Heart),  Justin -Bon Iver' Vernon (Flume), Elbow (Mirrorball).

Sonic Bridge- American dReam

"A man,  a guitar,  and a crazy world can make interesting music together."...that's the bold statement that will greet you when you visit Sonic Bridge's Facebook page.  This artist from Boston doesn't care to reveal his real name...which I guess allows him the latitude to address all of the off-beat issues that face us today.

What we have here is a guy who seems to have a decent day job in the working world who likes to write politically charged satire in his spare time.  The result is the most unusual,  out of the box, album of any year, American dReam.

You name it, Sonic Bridge seems to have a song for it...whether it's America's love affair with the cult of celebrity (Celebrity Society)..or the country's obsession with designer pets (Doggie Style)...or America's enduring pain of 9/11 almost 10 years after the fact (One Floor Taller), Sonic Bridge goes head long into the breach.  The proceeds of the latter song, by the way, goes to orphans of victims of the twin towers.

The music is a blend of folk and Americana... the lyrics are very matter of fact with a nod and a wink....And then there are the really strange songs like The Polar Bear Giraffe, which recounts how a polar bear mates with a giraffe (maybe a weird swipe at global warming).

Some Recommended Albums

Occasionally I will be so overwhelmed with great new cds that I might have to resort to listing some of the albums out there waiting for you to buy them. Just trying to keep your record collection up to date.

Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds: Live in Los Vegas

Ok these guys have now put out three stellar 2 cd live sets...just what are they trying to prove?  This double disc follows the same pattern as those that came before...lively, vibrant acoustic versions of some already great Dave Matthews songs. Best Bets cuts: Funny the Way it is,  You And Me,  Loving Arms,  Grey Street.

Carolina Chocolate Drops: Genuine Negro Jig

This is my salute to the kids of this nation that keep the magic of roots music alive.  Here's to the three twenty-somethings,  Dom Flemons, Rhiannon Giddens, and Justin Robinson who have built upon the genius of old time fiddler, Justin Robinson,  to create a sound for the ages.  This is just a solid piece of work that reassures me that fortunately this kind of music will endure forever.  Best Cuts: Hit 'em Up Style,  Cornbread and Butterbeans,  Why Don't you do Right?

Karan Casey & John Doyle: Exiles Return

Well, I guess if you have listened to Hunter At Sunrise long enough, you will know that I have a soft spot for Celtic Music.  Former members of the band Solas, Karan Casey & John Doyle, have put together the quintessential Scottish and Irish Folk Album. If I were to recommend a true journey through the Celtic experience, it would be with this release Exiles Return. This is truly the way the music is meant to be played.  Best Cuts:  Exiles Return,  Sailing off to the Yankee Land,  Sally Grier, The Little Drummer Girl.