Keith Walker's Country Heart

Thank goodness Keith Walker stumbled upon a certain Tim McGraw song because after that he said, “For the first time I saw the power of country music, and how true to life it really is. I was hooked.” “I Know A Corner” is an upbeat  County song that really gets you up and going while “Miles From You” slows things down and showcases the heart of this lover boy. What I like about “Firewater” is that the bit of swag it has going on in the delivery – it’s all in how Walker is pacing his self with it. It makes for a different listening experience and style from him while keeping it Country cool. I grew up loving Garth Brooks so songs like “Home To Me” have always been some of my favorite. I love the storytelling and emotion in this genre and that’s something you don’t get in other styles, well not as much as you get in a Country track. Keith Walker is a good ol’ boy with his feet planted deep in his musical roots and he can only go up from here. So check out Keith Walker if you’re into artists like Luke Bryan and Tim McGraw. (https://keithwalker.net/)

Matt Hannah

One Sheet: https://matthannahmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/matthannah-onesheet-national-c.pdf

Americana artists often offer listeners something that is very genuine and can be awe-inspiring. Minnesota based singer / songwriter Matt Hannah fits well into this category with his latest release entitled Let the Lonely Fade (Gammie Records).

Former frontman of NYC-based three-piece rock band Escape Key, singer-songwriter Matt Hannah went acoustic in 2011 and recorded his debut album Let the Lonely Fade in the second bedroom of his new home in Minneapolis, MN. With contributions on pedal steel from Zydeco Ziggie, Let the Lonely Fade weaves the straightforward melody of classic country with distinct bitter-sweet atmosphere. Strongly influenced by traditional songwriters like Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, and Townes Van Zandt, Matt Hannah is creating music that disregards modern artifice and goes straight for the real thing—the earnest folk Americana we’ve been waiting for.

Carmen Lundy - Soul to Soul

Official URL: https://www.carmenlundy.com/

Jazz vocalist Carmen Lundy is a Jazz based artists located in the California who just released his thirteenth CD entitled “Soul to Soul” (2014). Her exotic sound is an entertaining hybrid of contemporary classic Jazz with modern day blues and vocal soul. It’s a rich style of music but I admit I was unfamiliar with real Jazz with vocals in it until now. First a bit about lundy. Currently on the Afrasia Productions label, Carmen is releasing her 14th album in the Fall of 2014. Almost two years in the making, “Soul To Soul” consists of new original songs by Lundy, and a few very special collaborations. The album features legendary artists - specialists on their respective instruments - including Patrice Rushen, Geri Allen, Randy Brecker, Ada Rovatti, Warren Wolf, Bennie Maupin, harpist Carol Robbins, and Simphiwe Dana, a stunning South African vocalist and composer, among others. Carmen has had several Top Ten albums on JazzWeek (“Jazz and the New Songbook-Live at The Madrid”, “Come Home”, and “Changes”) and a #3 spot on Billboard’s Jazz Chart for 23 weeks with her debut album “Good Morning Kiss”. Among her other awards and recognitions, especially rewarding was Miami-Dade’s County Office of the Mayor and Board of County Commissioners proclaiming January 25th “Carmen Lundy Day”, along with handing Ms. Lundy the keys to the City of Miami.

Phil Varca and The Slamjammers

URL: https://www.philvarcaandtheslamjammers.com/

About the Artist: Phil Varca and The SlamJammers features the massive guitar tones and playing of Phil Varca with hard driving support from Tom Porter on Bass and Russell Stone on Drums. Together they share a rich history of putting their own stamp on blues classics as well as ripping through a deep catalog of rockin’ blues originals with heart, soul & feeling. Find them on the web…Join them on Facebook….See them perform live…..Catch the wave and feel the music!.

Steven Norman Long (Message for the Masses) (CD)

Reverbnation link: https://www.reverbnation.com/stevennormanlong

I cannot believe how long it’s been since I heard a good rock n’ soul record. Let me repeat that – “good rock n’ soul.” I review a lot of music day in and day out, and looking back over the last 5 years at what’s landed in my in-box I’ve noticed a disturbing trend. Music seems to be steering away from a guitar driven primary to more of an electronic based primary. Music also seems to be delivered much louder these days than it used to be – not in a good way either. I guess many feel you are not capable of turning up your volume knob so guess what - they’ve done it for you. Check my pulse maybe I’m dead. I want to hear and  feel something well powerful.

Jupiter in Velvet drops new CD

URL: https://www.jupiterinvelvet.com/

Jupiter in Velvet is based out of London. With millions of bands across this globe how can one more really make a difference and be worthy of the music lover’s attention?… Well for starters, if the artist has something to say with a new perspective and a truly unique musical style showcased through brilliant songwriting - that is a musical personality worth giving a listen to. Jupiter In Velvet is such an artist… Iinfluences possibly include but not limited to: David Bowie, Warpaint, Cursive, 2:54 and Radiohead. BTW - this is his third release in 3 years.

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