CARLENE CARTER Carter Girl (Rounder Records) By Brian Arsenault The connection between blues and rock has long been established and celebrated, bemoaned and argued about. Even the connection between blues and jazz has been recognized. Seemingly less considered has been the close relationship of country and blues. There are differences to overcome: white – black,… Read More CD Review of the Day: Carlene Carter’s “Carter Girl”
By Mike Finkelstein On a perfect Friday evening, KKGO radio hosted a triple bill bonanza showcasing the new sound of country music at the Greek Theatre. What transpired was lovingly devoured by one of the most enthusiastic and attractive crowds you could hope to see. It was beautiful. The bands rocked and the crowd rolled… Read More Live Country Music: Brantley Gilbert, Jack Ingram and Rachel Farley at the Greek Theatre
By Don Heckman Hollywood, CA. There was a distinct feeling of time warp in the air Friday night during Rita Coolidge’s performance at Catalina Bar & Grill. “Nostalgia” couldn’t quite describe the experience of hearing her embracing voice singing “Superstar,” “Born Under A Bad Sign,” “You’re Love Takes Me Higher,” and more. I first heard… Read More Live Music: Rita Coolidge at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept 19. (Wed.) Catharine Russell. Her resume includes gigs and recordings with the likes of Paul Simon, Steely Dan, David Bowie, Michael Feinstein. But she’s very much the “real thing” according to critic Nat Hentoff. And why not? Her father, pianist Luis Russell, was Louis Armstrong’s music director. Catalina… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 18 – 23
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – June 20. (Wed.) Jane Harvey. The remarkable Jane Harvey’s career dates back to gigs with Benny Goodman in the ‘40s. Now well into her ‘80s she continues to draw critical raves for her performances. Click HERE to read a recent iRoM review of a Harvey appearance. Catalina Bar… Read More Picks of the Week: June 20 – 24
By Mike Finkelstein On Friday night the Greek Theatre audience was treated to an appealing and rather rare double bill of legendary country singer/songwriters Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson. The format called for Haggard’s band, the Strangers, to back both men as they swapped songs for an hour and forty-five minutes. Given the wealth of top… Read More Live Music: Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson at the Greek Theatre
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Oct. 4. (Tues.) Patti Lupone. The versatile, two-time Tony Award winning artist presents “Gypsy in My Soul,” a set of songs illuminating her life on and off stage. Royce Hall. (310) 825-2101. – Oct. 5 & 6. (Wed. & Thurs.) Further (Phil Lesh and Bob Weir) The spirit of… Read More Picks of the Week: Oct. 4 – 9
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Sept. 21. (Tues.) Further. Featuring Phil Lesh and Bob Weir. The music of the Grateful dead still lives, as Lesh and Weir, with an all star band take the classics “further” out. The Greek Theatre. (323) 665-3125. – Sept. 21. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar Night. Pisano teams up for… Read More Picks of the Week: Sept. 20 – 26
The International Review of Music 