Brian Blade

Mama Rosa is something different for this noted jazz drummer. His songwriting and exceptional vocals are the centerpiece of this 2009 release on Verve Forecast. It's measured, meditative, questing music perfect for late night listening. Definitely more jazz than pop in sensibility, with excursions into minor key moody atmospherics influenced by co-conspirator Daniel Lanois. Memorable. Hauntingly beautiful. If I were to particularly recommend one track, check out Mercy Angel.

www.lala.com/#artist/Brian_Blade

www.brianblade.com

www.verveforecast.com

Marshall Crenshaw

My friend Wayne Osgood originally introduced me to the music of Marshall Crenshaw, and his self-titled debut album was one of my very favorites way back in 1982. If you've never heard it, by the way, I recommend you give it a listen. It still stands up ... fresh and snappy with echoes of Buddy Holly at his best. I confess, I've lost track of M.C. over the years until coming upon his new release Jaggedland. It retains the same kind of energy of his early work and is definitely in the early running for one of my favorite discs of 2009. It's intelligent, well-crafted rockin' music about the affairs of the heart and the inevitability of change. Imagine an album with lyrics worth listening to where you actually find yourself humming the tunes later in the day. He also hasn't lost his touch on the Stratocaster. Great tone and economy of technique.

http://www.marshallcrenshaw.com

The Alex Dixon Band

From the bucolic album cover art, one might be expecting some sensitive singer-songwriter fare a la early Joni Mitchell. Don't be fooled. Alex is the grandson of legendary bluesman Willie Dixon, and this disc is a fitting tribute to his legacy. That's not to say Alex is a traditionalist, by any means. This is blues with a butt-shakin' rock sensibility. Young Mr. Dixon, the keyboardist, has assembled an amazing ensemble of vocalists and musicians to create this beautifully self-produced disc. Special props to Alan Mirikitani for his stingin' guitar work. They even take on "Spoonful" and produce a fresh, dynamic rendition that grabs you and puts old EC to shame.

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/alexdixonband

http://www.dixonlandingmusic.com

Buddy & Julie Miller

You'd think that a guy whom No Depression appropriately named Artist of the Decade wouldn't warrant mention here, but Buddy Miller and his superbly talented life/musical soulmate Julie Griffin Miller are still hardly household names outside of a relatively small circle of fervent admirers. They deserve more attention, particularly since I think they've just produced a masterpiece with Written in Chalk. It's certainly in the early running for my favorite album of the year.

This is music appropriate for a long drive through open country on a midsummer evening, as day fades gradually into night. It's a mature work, in the best sense of the word. The instrumentation and arrangements are appropriately spare and understated. Two lifetimes of passion and pain fuel these aching harmonies. There is a raw immediacy to these performances, most recorded in their home studio, that cuts like a knife. June, written and recorded on the evening of June Carter Cash's death in 2003, will leave you breathless.

http://www.NewWestRecords.com

http://www.BuddyAndJulie.com

Los Straitjackets

You just gotta love The Further Adventures Of my favorite quartet of masked musical marauders. This is surf music from Mars... monster Dick Dale riffs; Ventures tremolo; Secret Agent Man twang; and some truly badass drumming. The folks at Yep Roc have gone all out for this release with special packaging, comic book superhero artwork and even trading cards! I'd recommend this for driving, but body parts have been known to twitch uncontrollably and unsafe speeds are virtually guaranteed when you crank this up. Flamin'....

http://www.lala.com/#artist/Los_Straitjackets

http://www.straitjackets.com/

Mariza!

This past weekend we had the good fortune to witness one of the most electrifying live performances I've ever seen. It was the last concert in a three-month North American tour by Portugese fado queen Mariza at the wonderful Parmount Oakland. What a stage presence -- captivating, sexy, and totally charming. And the voice... truly amazing in its richness and complexity. Did I mention the extraordinarily talented backing musicians? It was a night to remember. It's almost impossible to capture a personality like that on CD, but new album Terra would be a great place to start for the uninitiated.
Otherwise, if you ever have a chance to see her live, do yourself a favor.....

www.myspace.com/fadomariza

www.mariza.com

The Mystix

Were these guys discovered in some smoky honky tonk in Lubbock or Amarillo or some swamp pop dive in Shreveport or Lafayette? Ummm... it says here that Blue Morning was recorded in Saugus, MA! This is clearly a labor of love from a super talented ensemble of veteran session players from the Boston area, and they nail it! From Jo Lily's wonderfully raspy Hiatt/Dylan vocals and downright nasty guitar playin' to the butt-kickin' rhythym section, this is a true delight from beginning to end. There's a garage band immediacy to their sound, but these cats can really play. I haven't heard their brand new release Down to the Shore, yet, but I'm sure it will warrant mention here soon. Until then.... crank it up!

www.cdbaby.com/cd/mystix2


http://www.themystix.com/