Susheela Raman 33 1/3

Listening to: Susheela Raman, 33 1/3

A review of Susheela Raman’s 33 1/3 There’s nothing Susheela Raman can’t sing. I remember thinking this the first time I heard her first record, Salt Rain, in 2001. Raman is a British singer of Indian origin (who grew up … [read more]

Dwight Yoakam This Time

Today’s desert island disc: Dwight Yoakam, This Time

A review of Dwight Yoakam’s This Time (1993) Even though I had Hillbilly Deluxe and Cadillacs, Guitars Etc. Etc. on vinyl in the 80s and liked them (really, they provided my first ‘country music’ experiences that weren’t related to the … [read more]

Inaugural Ball – Beyoncé

While her last album was unfortunately not very good (a case where reach exceeded grasp), Beyoncé has a lovely voice – and, evidently, genuine admiration for her new president. Singing Etta James’ “At Last,” she opened the first of many … [read more]

Jill Barber Chances

Listening to: Jill Barber, Chances

A review of Jill Barber’s Chances (2008) Jill Barber is a Halifax-based… traditional jazz singer? Swing singer? Country singer? Torch singer? Maybe “western swing,” antiquated as it sounds, is a good genre for her. I had previously heard, and loved, … [read more]

Gold Disc

My Best of 2008

Here are my best CDs of 2008, in no particular order: Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, Rattlin’ Bones Hayes Carll, Trouble In Mind Sugarland, Love On The Inside TV On The Radio, Dear Science Lambchop, OH (Ohio) Calexico, Carried To … [read more]

Kasey Chambers

Here are two videos from the great Kasey Chambers, an Australian country singer/songwriter. I think hers is one of the most unique voices in music today – both her actual voice, and her songwriting.