Quick Picks
Album | EP | Single
The Sound Cafe Rating
5 star = essential, 4 star = excellent, 3 star = good, 2 = fans/collectors, 1 = for completionists only
Dione Taylor: Spirits In The Water
Music has always been an integral part of Dione Taylor’s life. A pastor’s daughter from Saskatchewan, she began playing the organ at age four and by age ten, she was the music director and organist at The Shiloh Assembly Apostolic Church in Regina. Dione is a Juno and Gemini nominated singer-songwriter whose career trajectory has been truly remarkable.
The new album is beautifully crafted from start to finish.
According to the Yuchi Indian Tribe there is a powerful legend of the Tanasi River or “Singing River” in Tennessee. Inside the waterway lives a woman who sings songs to protect those who hear her. Inspired by this mythical folklore, Dione Taylor took an insightful road trip to Nashville Tennessee and found inspiration for her vivid new album, “Spirits in the Water.” This musical odyssey explores the deep sacred, healing journey back to the self.
dionetaylor.bandcamp.com/album/spirits-in-the-water
Gareth Leach: Trigger
Gareth Leach is at the forefront of contemporary country music in Australia. He’s a performer and songwriter who understands and respects the tradition, whist giving it a contemporary edge. The hard-hitting Australian outlaw country singer/songwriter has returned to tackle tough subject matter with his self-produced and engineered sophomore album, Trigger.
The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc: Bonfrost
Bonfrost is the much-anticipated new album from the progressive and vibrant trio The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc. Comprising of three master fiddler players from three of the richest fiddling traditions in the world, The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc will release their third album on Friday 20th November.
Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar: The Reckless One
With the worldwide pandemic wrecking utter havoc upon the careers of many musicians, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar elected to use their time off the road to record, mix and master their latest tour-de-force, the astonishingly powerful, funky and deeply soulful The Reckless One.
The follow up to 2018’s Juno-nominated Run To Me, The Reckless One represents another massive step forward for Samantha Martin as a songwriter, singer, arranger and band leader. Eleven of the album’s twelve songs were either co-written or solely composed by the multi-talented, multi-faceted artist. The one non-original, a funk infused cover of Bob Dylan’s “Meet Me in the Morning,” fuses Dylan’s lyric in a cataclysmic clash with the sensibilities of the Meters and the hurricane force of Howlin’ Wolf and Tina Turner at their rawest. It simply has to be heard to be believed.
Out November 20th, Pre Order from the website.
Colin Clyne: Where The Ships Go To Die ( Single )
Based in Aberdeen, Scotland, Alt-Folk singer-songwriter Colin Clyne has a remarkable way of cutting straight through to the heart of his listeners’ emotions. With a passion for songwriting, Clyne's story-like lyrics and original melodies expose a truly sensitive artist whose unique vocals have the power to provoke a profound response.
The latest single "Where The Ships Go To Die" from this award winning singer songwriter is available on all top digital platforms via Royale Music / INgrooves (A wholly owned Universal Music Company).
Chris Smither: More From The Levee
With a career that has spanned over 50 years, Chris Smither is an American original whose genius is both in his effortless, distinctive, rippling guitar (as he tells it, “one-third John Hurt, one-third Lightnin’ Hopkins and one-third me”) and in his reimagining the acoustic blues as a vehicle for rich, philosophically complex lyrics. His songs offer a commentary on the human condition that only he can put pen to. They pull from deep in his soul, making for a kind of reflection, a timeless introspection.
Joe Bonamassa: Royal Tea
Almost every album Joe has produced instantly rockets to the #1 spot. His previous studio albums have even debuted on Billboard’s Top 10 album chart, proving that a Blues album could debut next to the biggest names in popular music.
Royal Tea is Joe Bonamassa‘s take on classic British blues rock albums, like Jeff Beck‘s Truth and John Mayall’s Beano, but with his own songs. The album is available today online and in stores from his own label, J&R Adventures.
Written with ex-Cream lyricist Pete Brown and a band featuring former Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden, pianist Jools Holland and Bonamassa’s touring band (Anton Fig on drums, Michael Rhodes on bass and Reese Wynans on keyboards), it’s an old-fashioned album written for and in contemporary times, not covers but more historical reenactments. Bonamassa is reaching back to his influences, but, as he does with everything, he's doing it his way.